WATT WORKS FOR ME - Gabriel Cullaigh

Movistar’s neo-pro on stepping up to WorldTour level and why he favours old-school training

- David Bradford

Your debut WorldTour season has been kiboshed by Covid-19, but you did get in quite a bit of racing in January and February – how did it go?

The start in Australia [Tour Down Under] was eye-opening – the level of racing and the pressure. Every day was full-on, and beyond the first day, I was uncomfortable all day, but it was a great learning experience. The Tour of Provence was even more eye-opening – the level of the climbing was pretty mad; all I could do was try to hang on for as long as possible!

Taking the step up, what’s the most striking change?

The level of performance. If you’re not at your best, you’re on the back foot and suffering. For example, [Nairo] Quintana in Provence was on another level. There’s also the pressure around each race, knowing that every result counts. Then again, the races can be easier to predict than an under-23 or Conti race. In the WorldTour, you’re just not sure whether it’s going to be hard or ridiculously hard!

Do you see yourself as a Classics specialist?