Sebastián, tell us a little more about how you started cycling
Cycling has always been a strong tradition in my hometown [Villareal] in Spain. My father used to cycle a lot and one day I found myself on his home trainer. I loved it and that’s where it all began.
…and how did you become involved in track cycling?
I’d joined the Sepelaco Cycling Club in Onda and one day the director, Mariano Cano, asked if I wanted to try track cycling. I was really enthusiastic about anything with two wheels, so I signed up instantly. And that was the beginning.
You’ve been part of the UCI Track Champions League since the beginning. What’s it been like, and how does it feel to be invited back for season three?
Being part of it since the beginning, I’ve seen the UCI Track Champions League develop so quickly. The format is so positive for track cycling, and it’s really revolutionising the discipline. The short and intense races are what attract the fans during those three hours of racing and it’s clear that the competition has grown dramatically in the first two years. The riders are getting stronger, and that's great to see. I am honoured to be part of the series, and to be invited back for the third season is something I’m super excited about.
Overall, what did you think of the 2022 series?
There was definitely a difference between the first and second seasons of the UCI Track Champions League. The rivalry between riders changed. The first season was new and fun, but during Season 2, I saw more riders thinking about how the races were developing. They were looking at what could and couldn't happen; there was a lot more strategy.
We started seeing breakaways in the short races like the Scratch. Riders were attacking and finishing alone. I think the speeds are getting faster too. It’s a very positive thing and the intensity is attracting more fans to the racing. From the start in Mallorca to the Grand Finale in London, the fans show so much support, whatever country they’re from.
What are your favourite memories of last year’s competition?
If I had to say one thing, it would be the healthy rivalry I had with Claudio Imhof. More specifically, the hug that we gave each other at the end of the series in London. We may be rivals on the track, but we’re close friends off it, and that hug symbolised our mutual respect for each other and the competition. I'll cherish that moment.
What have you been up to since last season?
I took part in the UEC European Championships, and three Tissot UCI Track Nations Cups, where I qualified for the Olympic Games Paris 2024. On top of that, it’s been a busy year for me studying and being a father. That requires a lot of hours, but it’s fantastic to spend every moment with my son.
This year the Super Launch will once again be held in Mallorca. What does it mean to you to be representing Spain, and racing in front of a home crowd on the opening night?
Mallorca is my second home when it comes to cycling. I have trained for many hours at the Velòdrom Illes Balears, as well as on the roads of the island. I have many friends there too. When I remember the fans in Mallorca last year, it makes my hair stand on end. They really encouraged me to give it my all.
How much are you able to tune into the atmosphere of the crowd?
In a race like a UCI Cycling World Championships, the focus is always on the results. The only goal is to do your best and win the rainbow jersey. At the UCI Track Champions League, I see something more than that. The atmosphere of the crowd and the format allows me to show my passion for the sport. It's a special racing atmosphere and the fans enjoy it too, bringing them closer to the sport.
As we head into season three, have you tweaked anything in your training plan to give you that extra marginal gain required to win?
The only thing that’s changed is that this year we start the track cycling season at the UCI Track Champions League in Mallorca. From there, I head to the Olympic Games in Paris. I’ll see how I perform, but I will try my best to wear the blue jersey again. I have the ones I wore last season at home, but I haven’t actually won the series yet. Having them around is something that always reminds me of that.
Do you think the UCI Track Champions League has changed the way cycling fans see track cycling?
The UCI Track Champions League has had such a positive effect on how the sport is perceived. Previously, people only watched the UCI Track World Championships or the Olympic Games. Now there are new races every weekend during the season, and the excitement around the sport has grown. Many fans are already planning their trip to Mallorca this year. When I ride in Castellón, people stop me to ask about the League and when the next season will begin.
The UCI Track Champions League is one of the last big competitions before the Olympic Games in Paris next year. How important do you think the 2023 UCI Track Champions League is for riders preparing for the Olympic Games in 2024?
For me, I wouldn’t say it’s crucial for my Olympic Games preparations. However, after the long break since the UCI Cycling World Championships in August, I see the UCI Track Champions League as the start of a new season. It’s a new challenge against rivals and a good step towards keeping myself on form.
Do you have any goals you want to achieve before the end of your cycling career?
My biggest goal is to win a gold medal at the Olympic Games. That would be the finishing touch. Aside from that, I’d like to continue contributing as much as I can to track cycling, attracting new riders and fans to the discipline.
How about any dreams or ambitions away from cycling?
I study at Jaume I University in Castellón. I'm not sure where my studies will take me, but I'm motivated to share what I've learned through cycling and books with future generations. The values of sports are important for daily life and I want to share them to improve our society.
If you weren’t cycling for a living, what would you be doing?
My father really inspired me to become a cyclist from an early age. He was a mechanic, so perhaps I would follow his profession. There were always screws and nails around the house growing up, so if I wasn't on my bike, I was working on something mechanical.
Do you have any pre-race rituals?
I have no rituals in particular, I just train every day so that when the race arrives, I feel as calm as possible. It's like an exam: if you don't study beforehand, you just get nervous and make mistakes.
How would you describe your discipline [Endurance] in 2-3 words?
I would only say one thing… exciting.
