Steff Cras - 'I’m not the biggest fan of the Tour'
Steff Cras is currently training in Spain as he prepares for the final stretch of his season. On his calendar is the Giro della Toscana, but beyond that the Belgian climber does not yet know where he will race. Speaking to Het Nieuwsblad, he reflected on his current form, the end of his time at TotalEnergies, his upcoming move to Soudal Quick-Step, and his complicated relationship with the Tour de France.
For Cras the autumn also marks the end of his time with Team TotalEnergies before his move to Soudal Quick-Step. He stressed that his transfer has not caused problems within his current team. “I don’t feel like they blame me,” he said to Het Nieuwsblad. “The team has been correct in recent months. There are just not many races left on the program that suit me.”
“Not riding Il Lombardia is a pity. My condition is currently better than before the start of the Tour. It would be a shame not to do something with it. My season has fallen into a gap and that bothers me.”
The Belgian looks back on his years in France with mixed feelings. “Within French teams there is a different culture,” he explained. “There was not really a language barrier, but going to the race felt more like going to work. At The Wolfpack I mainly hope to rediscover the joy. In terms of atmosphere it will be much better."
Cras remains ambitious for the years ahead. “My stage win in the Vuelta a Asturias has given me confidence. One day I want to win a stage in a Grand Tour and with this team that should be possible. At Soudal Quick-Step everything revolves around winning. And that is what I want to do myself in the coming years, I still have that ambition.”
Cras is eager to return to bigger stage races. “I want to put myself back in the spotlight and I would also like to be at the start of races like the Vuelta or the Volta a Catalunya again. In recent years I often rode those small French stage races, nobody follows that."
On the Tour de France, Cras is straightforward: "It has has never been the perfect match for me. I’m not the biggest fan. I’ve ridden it four times, reached Paris only once. I have to admit that the Tour and Steff Cras are not the best combination. And yes, I have had my share of misery in recent years. I assume that period is behind me. Both physically and mentally I have become stronger.”
Looking to his new chapter at Soudal Quick-Step, Cras expects more structured support. “Over the past three seasons I mostly had to figure things out for myself,” he said. “That will be completely different with my new employer. I want to benefit from the know-how they have gained in recent years with Remco [Evenepoel]. After all, I am still only 29: this team should also be able to make me better.”
