Interview Karolina Kumięga

The Valcar team is delivering many talents for years now. Every year the Italian team delivers a new generation of talents. Karolina Kumięga is one of the faces of 'generation 2022'. The Polish allrounder won her first race as a pro this year and it might be one of many more to come. The 23 years old from Bydgoszsc is one to keep in mind for the coming years. By these eight questions you can already get to know her a little better.

 

You’re currently the rider with the most race days. Is that a coincidence or do you just love racing?

A little bit coincidence. We make the calendar with my director part by part of the season. We didn’t calculate how many days I will have on the end of this season. Is also my first year in profesional cycling, so we want check what type of racing I prefer 😉 Is also the reason why I racing a lot.

You recently won your first pro race at the Giro Toscana, can you describe what you felt that day?

It was creazy day on bike 🤪 On the beginning of race I had a crash (again after European Championship and after punchture stage before). So I was really angry and disapontinted with my still unlucky. I must change the bike, then change again. I had also injury on my knee. I think that this stage and race was really over for me. But I faught to the end, on final climb felt well and just try to do my best finish. And won 😉 So happy with this victory, after a lot of unlucky in this season.

 

 

You mainly showed yourself in the sprint. Would you like to keep focusing on that or would you like to develop yourself to a classic rider as well?

I don’t think that I can say: I’m sprinter. I don’t think that is my typical speciality, I’m not „pure sprinter”. I can be a fast on sprint, but I prefer sprint from smaller bunch. I like a little bit harder terain, not totally flat. Hilly area, but not with super long climbs. And also cobbles - is something what I really like. So in the future I want to develop maybe like classic rider? Time will tell 😉

It’s been your first year in a foreign team, how was it to adjust to a new environment?

It was really big change for me. Level of racing in Polish races is not that high. In last year my only UCI races was European, World Championships and Giro Della Toscana, so really not a lot… On the beginning it was pretty stresfull for me, but I found good team, where nobody give You pressure. It was really important for me. Atmosphere in team is always pretty good, we joke a lot, I don’t feel stress with my teammates. I really like this italian style! So adaption to new environment goes easy for me and people in team really help me with this. No without reason everybody say that Valvar is the best team for young riders to can learn profesional cycling 😉

Who inspired you to become a cyclist?

It was really surprise. When I was 12 in my school couch from my first team looked for cholerne who want start cycling. And I just try and stay here for another 11 years 🤪

Do you have a certain ritual before the race? What gives you motivation?

Always talk with my boyfriend Czarek - he is my biggest suporter. He also works in cycling so knows this sport really well. Always help stay me calm and No stresfull before race. From other I always pin my number on jersey in car during transfer to start or in camper before race. Never before in hotel! And before start always a little of coke!

Which advice would you give to race organisations or the UCI? Is there anything you would like to improve in the sport?

For now everything with women cycling go really better, but we still miss about thing like more tv transmision and bigger prize money… is still big gap between this what have men. It will be also super nice when all monuments make also women version 😉

What is your long term goal? Which race do you dream to win one day?

Hmmm, I really fall in love in Paris-Roubaix. It’s beautifull race, one of my dream-race to win.