From masseur to the Worlds peloton: Kovácik pushed his unlikely ride beyond expectations

What began as an emergency solution ended up becoming one of the more remarkable stories of the elite men’s road race.

Kováčik, 28, had not competed seriously for nine years. He rode at continental level in 2016, while his last competitive race came nine years ago. These days, his cycling is limited to amateur training. Yet when Slovakia ran out of eligible riders for the Worlds, he suddenly became the country’s only realistic option.

Matthias Schwarzbacher was sidelined through injury, Martin Svrček was unavailable because of health problems and national champion Lukáš Kubiš could not be released because of his trade team’s racing programme. With the deadline for entries already passed, Slovakia was unable to bring in another rider.

Not starting anyone was hardly an option. Slovakia risked seeing its national championships downgraded the following season, which would substantially reduce the number of UCI points available. With Olympic qualification also on the horizon, the federation needed somebody on the start line.

Kováčik happened to be in Montréal, still held the necessary licence and agreed to step in.

“When they told me that I would race, I could only smile,” he told TV JOJ afterwards. “But the closer the day came, the more stressed I became.”

His unexpected selection quickly turned him into a minor celebrity inside the Worlds bubble.

“I couldn’t even open my phone or social media, because the moment I opened Instagram, my photo was everywhere. I’m not used to that.”

Before the race, Kováčik made no attempt to pretend he had suddenly transformed back into a professional cyclist.

“It’s crazy,” he told Sporza. “I have no words for it.”

Asked how he had prepared for riding a World Championship road race after nearly a decade away from competition, his answer was similarly understated.

“I just train at amateur level. I shaved my legs, but that’s about it.”

The nerves only increased on race morning. Kováčik was surrounded by cameras, journalists and thousands of spectators before even turning a pedal.

“When I walked onto the podium, I was so stressed that I couldn’t even find my number on the sign in sheet,” he said. “But after all the interviews, and after the start, it got better.”

Slovakia’s national coach Jakub Vančo had given him simple instructions: enjoy the experience.

Kováčik had another objective of his own.

“I wanted to test myself and see how many kilometres I could hang on,” he said.

For the opening 15 to 20 kilometres, he deliberately stayed near the back of the bunch, trying to conserve energy and avoid trouble. Gradually, however, he began to feel more comfortable.

“I tried to stay at the back, but eventually I could even move up a little and get into the best thirty per cent.”

It was already more than Slovakia had required from him. Kováčik only needed to start the race to fulfil the country’s obligation. Instead, he remained with the peloton as the race moved through its long opening section towards the demanding Montréal circuit.

Kováčik ultimately survived in the main field for more than 100 kilometres.

“I was happy that I could stay in the peloton at an average of 47 kilometres per hour all the way to the local circuit,” he said. “I was happy that I made it over the bridge.”

Along the way, his story had clearly reached the riders around him.

“A few of the biggest names in professional cycling came up to me during the race, shook my hand and said nice things. It was amazing.”

His day eventually came to an end when the race reached the first ascent of the Camillien-Houde, the key climb on the Montréal circuit. Kováčik lost contact with the peloton and stopped after crossing the finish line for the first time.

By then, though, he had already gone far beyond simply fulfilling Slovakia’s obligation to start. After more than 100 kilometres in the bunch, Kováčik could leave Montréal satisfied with an experience few had expected him to have.

There was not much time to dwell on it either.

“I only got home today, but tomorrow I’m going to the European Championships,” Kováčik said.

This time, there will be no race number.

“This time, really just as a masseur.”