South African rider Daryl Impey has just finished racing in the Santos Tour Down Under in the first race of the season for Team RadioShack.  Last month at the Tucson training camp I had a chance to sit down with Daryl for a little one-on-one.  Let’s get to know Daryl a little better.

Cathy:  Give us a brief run-down on yourself, Daryl.

Daryl:  Well, I’m 25 years old.  I started professionally with Barloworld.  I’m from South Africa and that was a South African sponsor.  Robbie Hunter helped get me on the team.  I spent two years with them and it was my big introduction to cycling.  Prior to Barloworld I rode for a South African team MTN just doing local races and I also rode for the French team La Pomme Marseille.  Last year I lived in Parma, Italy but for the racing season in 2010 I will live in Gerona, Spain.  I’ll go there right after the Tour Down Under.  It’s quite a move for me.  I’ll have to learn a new language but I’m looking forward to it.  For sure it will be a challenge for me, but learning a new language is always a good thing in cycling.  You can’t know too many as far as I’m concerned!  Look how many different nationalities we have on Team RadioShack.

Cathy: How did you get the call to come to Team RadioShack?

Daryl: Actually I was sitting in Parma with Robbie and they called to ask him about me.  I was sitting right there with him so he handed me the phone and said, “Take this call!”  I said, “Who is it?” and he told me it was Johan! I was put on the spot right then to talk with Johan!  I was nervous but excited too.  Johan said he was interested in me and I thought that was so cool.  I walked around with a big smile on my face after that.  Two weeks later I received my contract.  It was a no-brainer as far as deciding—of course I was going to sign for RadioShack!

Cathy: And Barloworld has ended their sponsorship after being on board for a long time in cycling, correct?

Daryl: Yeah, they have and it’s a sad thing for South African cyclists to not have them around  anymore.  It’s very hard for South African cyclists to move to Europe and learn a new language and to find your feet.  Barloworld gave many of us the opportunity to step into Europe with a little bit of hope.  Now riders are just thrown into the deep end.  Of course it’s not impossible to succeed this way, and now the South African riders are spread out to many different teams so there will be new opportunities created because of this.

Cathy: What kind of year did you have last year?

Daryl: Since we were a continental pro team it was rather difficult to know what our exact program would be.  The team relied on invitations to races.  We knew we would ride the Giro d’Italia so that was a big focus of mine.  I set that as my goal.  I had also won in Turkey but I had that nasty crash so everything had to be put on hold.

Cathy: You had the crash with Theo Boss where you were pushed into the barriers?

Daryl: Yes, that was me!  I lost half my season because of that crash.  I didn’t really start racing again until August, coming really right in September….and then the season was over!  I didn’t get my chance to ride a Grand Tour so that was very disappointing but I think I’ll have other chances.  I’m still pretty young.

Cathy: What is your race program?

Daryl:  Tour Down Under, Giro di Sardegna, Tirreno Adriatico, Milan-Sanremo,   Flanders, Wevelgem, Romandy and I’d like to do Worlds too.

Cathy:  Do you like the cobbles?

Daryl: Well….I can’t quite say yet.  I haven’t had enough time on them and I haven’t had the best directors to master the cobbles.  The Italians have a different mentality toward the cobbles than the Belgians do so I’ll be in better hands with regards to instructions and the overall feel of the race.

Cathy:  How have things been going for you so far?

Daryl: Camp was great.  It was nice to be able to have a relaxed time, to be able to sit down with each other and get to know each other.  It’s also nice that everyone speaks English.  That’s a real bonus.

Cathy: What do you think about the way this team is run?

Daryl: I think it’s the small things that other teams don’t do that I’ve noticed the most.  All the sponsors were on hand for days to help with correct sizing and positioning, all of that.  There was so much effort put in from all of them, making sure things were just right for us.  Lots of nice touches. I have to say that it was very exciting meeting all of the stars on the team too.  When your name is said in the same sentence as their name then it’s quite nice!

Cathy: How has your family reacted to you coming to Team RadioShack?

Daryl: My Dad has a bicycle shop in South Africa and he used to race.   It was pretty small then, he just raced in South Africa.  But he’s over the moon for sure.  He’s probably the proudest guy ever.  He has to remind every customer that comes into the shop which team I’m riding for!   He’s just so excited.  My mom has had to shut him up a few times and remind him I haven’t won the Tour or anything!

Photo by Graham Watson