"It's a great pleasure when you can do whatever you want on a climb, and they're powerless...nonetheless, I love all of them. One day they'll figure out that it's not about who you are as a cyclist, but who you are when cycling is taken away from you."
The 2020 Vuelta is Smit's second Grand Tour, having raced the 2019 Vuelta last year. He made it into the breakaway for two consecutive days on stages three and four, keeping the peloton at bay as the last man until 15km to the finish on the second occasion
Willie Smit has spoken out about the inferior treatment suffered by ProTeam riders, saying some members of the Vuelta a España peloton have judged him by his jersey, and not what he is capable of as a rider.
"So in the Vuelta I had a couple of experiences of riders telling us to move to the back because according to them we're not high enough on the hierarchy/GC," Smit wrote on Twitter, then going on to explain the hypocrisy as no-one minded him being at the front in last year's Spanish Grand Tour when he was riding at WorldTour level with Katusha-Alpecin.
He then posted a screenshot of a quote attributed to Janez Brajkovič, the former WorldTour rider who now races for Continental outfit Adria Mobil.
The Brajkovič quote reads: "The only way a Conti rider can ride at the front mixed up with WT egoistic cry babies, is to be stronger than them. And oh man, it feels so good when they're breathing through gills, and let you slot in...even between their team-mates. Of course, they'll say things like: 'don't do stupid things' or 'don't be stupid'.
The South African is riding the Spanish Grand Tour for ProTeam Burgos-BH, the 27-year-old having previously spent two seasons riding for WorldTour outfit Katusha-Alpecin before the team folded at the end of 2019.
"I laughed and said 'you have a problem with my shirt because when I was in Katusha I never experienced this'. Pathetic."
-
-
EF Education-Nippo and Rapha reveal special edition ‘Euphoria’ kit for Giro d'Italia
This year's Giro switch-out kit that's designed not to clash with the maglia rosa doesn't feature any ducks... so far
By Simon Smythe •
-
Remco Evenepoel: You can’t prepare fully without racing, but that’s the risk we took
Belgian star is among the favourites to win the 2021 Giro d’Italia, having not raced for nine months
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Vuelta a España 2021 route: Organisers announce all-Spanish route, no Madrid finish and a ‘historic new climb’
The Vuelta a España organisers have announced the 2021 route, including an all-Spanish parcours, an exciting new climb and a finish outside of Madrid.
By Jonny Long •
-
Sir Dave Brailsford announces Ineos Grenadiers leadership for Giro d’Italia, Tour de France and Vuelta a España
Sir Dave Brailsford has announced his team’s leadership for the 2021 editions of the Giro d’Italia, Tour de France, and the Vuelta a España.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
Vuelta a España 2020 ratings: how did each team perform?
Here's how all the teams showed themselves in the final Grand Tour of the year
By Stephen Puddicombe •
-
Watch Chris Froome give signed race number to young pro completing his first Grand Tour
Chris Froome offered a heart-warming gift to a young pro completing his first Grand Tour at the Vuelta a España.
By Alex Ballinger •
-
'It's been an emotional day,' says Chris Froome as he rides final race for Ineos
Froome collected a trophy for his retrospective 2011 Vuelta a España victory
By Jonny Long •
-
Five talking points from stage 18 of the Vuelta a España 2020
Roglič takes a second consecutive Vuelta red jersey as Ackermann wins the Madrid sprint
By Stephen Puddicombe •
-
Pascal Ackermann pips Sam Bennett in stage 18 sprint as Roglič seals Vuelta a España
The German took his second stage win to deny the Irishman
By Jonny Long •
-
Vuelta a España is a 'turning point in my career' says Hugh Carthy
The Brit has impressed throughout the Spanish Grand Tour, securing his first Grand Tour podium
By Jonny Long •
