Astana Cycling Team

Photo by Astana Team Communication Department

Maxim Iglinskiy will start on Sunday in the classic, Amstel Gold Race with personal ambitions as he will celebrate this day his 29th birthday. In the top 10 world rankings for two weeks, the Kazakh rider proves he has become one of the pillars of the Astana team. Before leaving for Netherlands, he answered our questions.

What do you think your season start?
“I think this is my best season start since I am among professionals. I became more regular and mostly I can achieve my goals on the big races. My victory at Strade Bianche in March is the best proof, and all my results on the classics, too.

Does being in the top 10 world ranking give you new goals?
It is mainly a sign that I have reached a significant milestone. I'm 29, and maturity in cycling is an added advantage. Obviously, it allowed me to see further and perhaps even higher. The ambitions always come with confidence. I can say today that the confidence is there. I await the result with serenity.

What has changed for you since past years?
I've never been anxious to succeed or go faster than necessary. I know my qualities and my strength. I’ve always known what I ‘m able to do, just and wait and see. I have already won stages on the Pro-Tour, one in the Tour de Romandie and the other in the Dauphine Libere. These two successes helped me to grow even more. Today I'm at an important stage of my career.

Could you explain what kind of rider you are?
I am fairly a polyvalent rider. Last year I’ve been very proud to be on the podium for a Flemish Classic at the GP E3 on an almost identical route as the Tour of Flanders, and to be then to be on it for Liege-Bastogne-Liège. I’ve been champion of Kazakhstan against the clock but also best climber of the Tour of Switzerland two years ago. It proves that I am able to ride on any roads.

What is your race programfor the coming weeks?
I'll make the Ardennes classics, with Amstel, Flèche Wallonne, Liege-Bastogne-Liege and the Tour de Romandie. Then I'll make a long break to prepare for the Tour de Suisse and Tour de France.

What are your future goals?
At the Amstel, I think I'm ready to play mostly my personal card that is the day of my 29th birthday. After the Tour of Flanders, I went to Tenerife for a training in altitude. I want to capitalize on this hard training work during the Ardennes classics. At the Flèche Wallonne and Liege-Bastogne-Liege, Alberto Contador will join us, and Alex Vinokourov in Liege. We will have a big team Astana. It will also help us get our bearings for the Tour de France which will pass through these roads in Belgium and Holland. Because ultimately, there is the Tour de France that we want to win and to bring back once the yellow jersey in Kazakhstan. "

Astana Cycling Team
Communication Department