Interview Milana Ushakova

Winning your first elite race at the age of 17. It's an achievement that Milana Ushakova already has on her palmares. Last Saturday, she won against mature riders who already won UCI races before. The young Ukrainian is ambitious to keep growing in the sport and aims to become a professional at the highest level. A thousand miles from her tortured homeland, she tries to live her cycling journey in Belgium. Get to know a rider who you might see more often on top of the results sheets this year, and perhaps even on the podium of the Worlds. 

You already won your first race of the season. How would you describe the start of this Spring?

Well, I feel a lot of progress that I have made compared to last year. I am very glad that I have already won two races and also took third place. I also wanted to show a good result at Binda, but unfortunately my sprint was not good, but I’m still glad that I finished in the first group in such a difficult race.

What are the biggest challenges in cycling for you?

Difficult question. Cycling in general is not an easy sport. What’s difficult for me is technical skills. Choosing and maintaining a position in a mass sprint is probably the most difficult thing for me, but I’m working on it.

What are your ambitions in the sport?

Become a professional cyclist. Go to the World Tour team . This is my goal, I know it will be very hard to achieve, but I will do my best.

Where will you race this year?

I don’t have a clear plan yet, unfortunately. I must pass the selection in June. I really hope that I will qualify and have a chance to compete at the World- and European Championships on the track and road. But now prepare for EPZ Omloop van Borsele and Tour du Gévaudan.

How did you discover cycling?

This is not a popular sport in Ukraine, but not far from where I lived there was a track. So my brother started training and competing, and I decided to try it too.

How do you feel about the situation in your homeland Ukraine?

War is the worst thing that can happen, it’s terrible that it happened in my country. My life will never be the same again, and I will always miss that time before the war...

What are your biggest passions outside cycling?

I have been playing the piano since childhood and I love it very much. Now I continue to study music at the conservatory and I like it, but not more than cycling😉

What are your strenghts & weaknesses as a cyclist?

I’m probably more of a hill racer and a time trialist. My weakness is mass sprinting, but I’m trying my best to fix it.

 Interview Carl Fredrik Hagen

From the continental level to the top of grand tour racing in one year. Carl Fredrik Hagen managed it in 2019. The Norwegian was the revelation of La Vuelta by finishing on the 8th spot. This season, he rides in the colours of Q36.5, where he wants to taste another success this year. In this interview, the now 32 years old rider talks in this interview about his own ambitions, his experiences and the changes in the sport. 

You finished 8th in La Vuelta before. How did you experience those 3 weeks?

That were three very hard and tough weeks. Physically but also mentally. But I impressed myself to be up there in the last week with good focus and good legs. I also had a good DS that told me what to do every day and do it simple.

Was it a specific goal for you before the race or did you even suprise yourself?

I had a goal to be top 20. So yes, that was a bit surprise for me :)

You made the step up from the continental level to the World Tour in one year. How was this step for you?

It was a big step in one way. It was a bigger team, more people, more races, higher level. But in the other way, I just continued to ride my bike and push the pedals. I also Rode pro races as continetal rider.

How did you see the sport evolve throughout your carreer so far?

The sport has taken big steps every year. Especially after covid in 2020. Equipment, the general fitness level and the tactics.

What would you like to improve in the sport?

sport in general: the safety. For me: be stronger in the climbs and more explosive.

What are your ambitions for this season?

WIN. And be up there for good GC results. And helping my team, Q36.5 Pro Cycling Team to sucess.

What is your role in the team?

GC leader and mountain/climber domestique. Depends of the race and plan for the race.

What is your carreer highlight so far?

8th. GC in La Vuelta