The day that everything changed

Leeds, UK. It’s the Wednesday before the Tour de France and it’s the first time we catch up with Andrew since his epic win at the Dauphiné. While it would have been cool to have actually been at the Dauphiné finish, that would have meant missing the most riveting day of racing and seeing every move on TV.

When Andrew rolled into the hotel lobby, you could see the change in the man. He had a lighter step. And a big smile. He exuded confidence, but not a cocky confidence. Just calm confidence.

We met Andrew at the team training camp in his first year at Garmin-Cervélo in 2011. He was gracious enough to sit down for a couple of long chats touching on everything from his goals, his thoughts on joining Garmin, the new generation of clean cyclists, and the difference that clothing can make at this level. Andrew immediately impressed as a bright, articulate neo pro but certainly didn’t lack in ambition or confidence. Some journalists called him cocky which didn’t quite sit with what we saw. I’d say it was more of an inward focus on getting the best out of himself.

He started 2011 with a bang including 4th place at the Tour du Med and went into Paris-Nice ready to race for the win. Patience wasn’t really the word you would use to describe Andrew at that point. Andrew was always a great resource for us on product development. That same attention to detail that he uses in his preparation means that he’s attentive to every little thing in his clothing. He’s always one of the first to give feedback and is full of suggestions to make our clothing better.

At the Mallorca training camp this spring Andrew talked to us about his 3-5 year plan to do everything he can to win a Tour de France. He’s approaching it in a methodical way, realizing that it takes years of specific preparation to get everything right. Things like core strength training, learning how to peak in July, about training smarter and not just more. When he spoke about the 3-5 year plan, you got the sense that for him it’s very concrete but now he’s patient to put in the time to get there. At one point in the future, Andrew will have done everything possible to be at the very best that Andrew can be when he toes the start line at the Grand Départ.

Sunday, June 15, Andrew woke up that morning thinking that 3rd place at Dauphiné behind Contador and Froome would be a great result and a confirmation of his form ahead of the Tour. Andrew had ridden a smart race and was sitting just 39 seconds back from leader Contador.

The short 131km final stage started with a climb from Mégève. And all hell broke loose with dozens of riders trying to get in the break of the day and with Contador’s teammates unable to control the race. Ryder Hesjedal got in the move, and when they were about a minute ahead, Talansky realized this was the opportunity and jumped across by himself. Ryder pulled all day till the final climb, and Talansky just had to ride the TT of his life to the finish in Courcheval. He didn’t know he’d won until the seconds ticked off the clock and he finished with 27 seconds in hand.

In Leeds Andrew was all smiles and seemed delighted to tell us the story of day everything changed. He has probably told it a thousand times in the past 2 weeks. Now Talansky knows he can do it, and he knows how to do it. That was the day that the 3 year plan became the 3 week plan. Attack early and risk it all.