Cycling: Abner Gonzlez, from Movistar’s ‘Nio Maravilla’ to stay in limbo: “I still have many challenges to meet”

Hace three to firm by Movistar Team as one of the big names of the future. After a great first year with the Navarrese, Abner Gonzalez He is now looking for new challenges outside the telephone structure. He is still in Spain waiting for a new team to develop his potential. Before starting, the runner attends to BRAND from Alicante, where he is preparing for the new course.

What is your assessment of these three seasons at Movistar Team?

It has been an honor to belong to Movistar these three years. Being there is the dream of many people in Spain and many people from other countries. The first year was learning, but very good. In the second, luck was not on my side between falls and injuries. I had back problems. It was a bit bad, really. In the third I tried to overcome everything that happened to me in the second. I entered the year well, with good feelings, but I didn’t have moments to shine. I was working for my colleagues and I was delighted, because it is always a pride to do so. But I didn’t have moments of great brilliance.

He had a great first year with several positions of merit in Portugal, Getxo, Castilla and León… but then luck turned its back on him.

Those. Between one thing and another… This is sport. Sometimes you want things to be perfect, but not everything always turns out the way you want. All in all, I am happy with how my attitude has been.

Do you already have equipment for the next course?

I still don’t have a clear team for 2024. I’m still searching with my agent. I know there are some possibilities, but we haven’t fixed it yet. It’s a slightly uncomfortable situation. That’s what we’re doing right now, trying to negotiate with several teams.

How do you continue training to the maximum without having a set calendar?

It’s a bit complicated, I won’t deny that to you. But I remain very motivated. I have a lot to give in this sport and in professionals. I’m young. I am in Spain, I have not gone home to fix everything that can be fixed. I’m training well for next year. If a race comes up in a month, I’m ready. This winter I have changed the way I train a little. I’m training more than I used to train at this time. It sounds strange that I say that I am motivated by the whole situation that is happening, but it is true. I want to show on a team that I can do well.

Your name sounds like an option for Caja Rural-Seguros RGA, how is the situation?

I am very delighted. But you know what negotiations are like. My agent and I are doing everything possible so that something can happen. I am a person who, wherever I am, is going to commit myself one hundred percent. I have been in professionals for three years and I have learned a lot. If everything goes well, I think I can do a good role.

What type of cyclist do you consider yourself?

I am a climber who moves well in all terrains, but where I do best is clearly in the high mountains. I am young and I think I have room for improvement. I can exploit my body more and explore it. I think the key is to let the facts speak. Sometimes we get tangled up in talking and we don’t focus as much on the facts. I want to show what I can give.

You arrived in Spain through the Telco team, how do you remember it?

I spent a year in Inteja. I started in the United States at the beginning and then moved on to Inteja. It was a positive campaign. In my second year as an amateur I came to Navarra. It was a strange year, because it was the year of Covid, but at the same time a dream because I was able to jump to professionalism. I was close at Valenciaga. Win other races in the season. That year the races were at the end due to Covid. Everyone was watching and I closed the season strong. The teams’ interest in me began. My agent and I closed the deal and decided to go to Movistar. And, for me, it was a dream come true. I raced in amateur, junior and professional in Spain. That is why arriving at Movistar, a great team of many years, was a dream come true. I can only say good things about the team.

Any funny anecdotes that you experienced on the team?

In one of the first races I did I got a big scolding from Erviti. I think it was in Valencia. He was shy because he had just arrived. I feel free to speak, but I’m shy. He was a bit short in the first races. Erviti told me that I had to do something at the beginning of the race and I didn’t do it. Imanol jumped from the front of the pack, went to where I was and let everything fall on me (laughs). In the end you are embarrassed but that was one of the keys to improving. If everyone touches you, you don’t learn. You learn from scolding and he gave me one. I have very good memories with Imanol.

What is cycling like in your country, in Puerto Rico?

It does not have a great cycling tradition. The sports that predominate there in the country are American. We have basketball, baseball, boxing, athletics… those are the ones that succeed the most. It’s a bit strange to talk about cycling in my country. There are many people who cycle, but few compete. There are many groups of runners with a good level, but not competitive. We don’t have that much tradition on our island. But, thank God and with the passage of time after I turned professional, cycling has begun to grow in our country. I was the first runner in El País to become professionals. It was an impossible dream for the people there, but it has now been achieved. After I signed, the truth is that more kids became motivated and started racing bikes. When I’m there I try to be close with everyone and I think it helps.

He was a pioneer, but he is still 23 years old. What dreams do you have left to fulfill?

Win a race. I was close in my first year at Movistar. In the first year I saw myself near the podium, I wore the best young person’s jersey, I grabbed several trophies… and that’s when I got that hunger to continue improving. I realized that I could win some professional event in the future. Not only for me, also for my country and my people. I want to continue fulfilling dreams. I spent professionals living in the Basque Country and that is why running the Itzulia is something incredible for me. I want to go for several challenges of this style.