″My parents live in Russia and feel the economic effects of the war″
Russian cyclists talk about how lucky they are to be able to compete in the Portuguese peloton.
The Russians Viktor Manakov and Aleksandr Grigorev coincide in the luck that they are integrated in the Portuguese squad and in the defense that the sport should be “out of politics”, yearning for peace in the war in Ukraine.
It is a big problem for all of us in life and it may be that everything is living our life and it may be that everything important for our life has suddenly changed. were eliminated from sport and have to remain in Russia”, said Viktor Manakov, in statements to the Lusa agency.
The ABTF-Feirense runner is not alone in this perception, he has also suspended Aleksandr Grigorev from the word “luck” to define his reality, in a context in which the International Cycling Union (UCI) has decided as national teams and withdraw the licenses from the teams of this country and Belarus following the invasion of Ukraine.
“At first, of course, I was very worried about this situation. [guerra] and now that I’m competing, that I’m playing sports and I’m more focused, because of the work I have to do in the competitions, I feel a little better. But of course, in countries due to conflict, the situation is very bad. I’m sorry”, told Lusa the corridor of the Atum General-Tavira-Maria Nova Hotel, on the sidelines of the 39th Volta ao Alentejo.
The most Russian of the Algarve’s national squad – he has been with the Tavira team for five years – bounces between Portuguese and Spanish to emphasize that “sport is out of politics”.
“We are cyclists and we are here for all my countries and this is very important for me and for all my thoughts. I am very sorry about this situation, this war. Peace and that everything will be well”, declared.
The same is defended by Viktor Manakov, who considers that the UCI decision “is not correct”.
“Changing clothes and colors doesn’t mean anything. Here, as a team, there are no Russian flags, I’m not a national champion, so for me, nothing has changed with these new circumstances”, he replied in almost perfect English, when asked about the fact that it cannot compete under the Russian flag.
Taking his first rides in the national squad after nine seasons with Russian teams, interspersed with an experience at the Leopard Development Team (2015), Viktor Manakov confesses that, despite being a privilege, it is complicated to be in Portugal, “because the exchange is download, life here is getting more expensive”.
“We all hope that [a guerra] ends fast, but it’s going on and on. We’re just waiting to see how it ends, because nobody knows. The problem is that it won’t just be bad for the countries in conflict, it will be bad for the whole world.”
But Manakov will try to keep optimism, not the shorter 29-year-old Russian, but Manakov will try to keep optimism, in an easy solution to the war in Ukraine.
They cannot affect my economy, they cannot affect my economy. [da guerra]”, revealed the Russian from Atum General-Tavira-Maria Nova Hotel, now more integrated into national life (and platoon).
An immense gratitude can be seen from Grigorev’s speech, which is difficult for his colleagues, but also “the Portuguese, the team, the sponsors, the Portuguese Cycling Federation”, who support him and the challenge at this moment, started in February 2, with the military flight in Ukraine, which has already died at least 726 and more than 1,170 injured, caused an escape from Russia of about 4, a UN flight of people, according to the latest figures in the millions.