TOUR: How are you feeling before the start of the Gravel World Championships? How is your form?
Lakata: You can already tell that autumn is coming. But I've motivated myself again to get in really good shape for the World Championships, which will be my last race this year.
I'm in pretty good spirits, I'm a bit sickly too, but not seriously. I hope it doesn't get any worse. But a lot of riders are probably struggling with corona and colds at the moment. I think my wattage is quite good. Compared to the other riders, I don't know where I stand because there were no real comparisons, but I'm confident.
Lakata with a new bike at the Gravel World Championships
TOUR: What was the preparation like?
Lakata: I only got my bike quite late. Before that, I rode a racing bike with wider tyres, just like Mathieu van der Poel. But I find that rather suboptimal. The tyre clearance is relatively low. When it gets a bit muddy, it grinds and the damping is not so good off-road. We got a new gravel bike from Bulls a fortnight ago, the Bulls Machete. I have gradually adjusted the bike correctly and switched to a smaller frame a week ago. As a result, every training ride was a test ride. What tyre width should I use? Which tyre generally suits me? Many things were tried out.
For training, I looked for conditions that were similar to the World Championships: Gravel, which is sometimes a little rougher, and sections that resemble trails to see if I can also put a lot of pressure on the pedals on flat terrain. I'm doing quite well now and the bike setup is also very good. That's why I'm very confident about the Gravel World Championships.
TOUR: What challenges did you face when setting up the gravel bike?
Lakata: It is generally a problem with gravel bikes that they tend to be built for comfort. You have a slightly more upright position. I noticed that with me too. With the large frame that I first tried, I was too much of a tourer. I then decided in favour of a smaller frame. I feel much more comfortable there, more like on a cyclocross bike.
The right choice of tyres
TOUR: What tyre width will you be using at the start of the Gravel World Championship?
Lakata: I wouldn't want less than 40 millimetres. With 45 millimetres you have more comfort. However, the tendency is for many riders to ride 40 millimetres or even narrower. So I have decided to go for 40 millimetres after all.
TOUR: You have already travelled the route. What are your impressions?
Lakata: I had a look at the track a week ago, but most of the time I was travelling in the rain. That gave me the impression that the race would be really tough. There are two short hills at the start. They are challenging, but the length is such that most riders should be able to cope with them. After that, the course is mostly flat on a generally good surface. There are occasional swings into fields and meadows, but the majority - especially in the middle section around Padua - is on good gravel, including tarmac. There are a lot of left and right turns with 90-degree bends. Then we come to the final two laps around the finish town of Cittadella. This is a mix of quite uneven tracks with mud holes and the other half with tarmac and some cobblestones. There is something for all types of riders.
Possible scenarios for the Gravel World Championship
TOUR: What kind of race are you expecting on Sunday?
Lakata: There are no real national teams that work together and you don't know each other like you would in a road race, for example. I think it will be a bit confusing at the start. That's why you have to be very active after the start and make sure that nobody gets away or that no large group rides away. It will be a new experience for many. That's exactly what makes this Gravel World Championship so exciting.
The start with the two climbs could be a key part of the race. Everyone will try to be there. If nobody can break away, it will probably be a breakaway. Maybe a small group will form later in the race. The least likely scenario for me is that a large group goes into the last lap.
TOUR: Who is your favourite for the World Championship title?
Lakata: I rate Mathieu van der Poel very highly. He brings everything to the table and has great control of his bike. But he can also make mistakes in his choice of equipment or have a bad day. Of course, the gravel specialists are also to be considered and I also know some good mountain bikers who are at the start. The course is definitely selective enough for the strongest to win. It's difficult to identify a clear favourite apart from van der Poel.
Lakata about goals
TOUR: And your personal goal? What have you set yourself for the Gravel World Championship?
Lakata: I want to ride a good race. To deliver the performance I can at the moment. I haven't set myself a specific position as a goal. Perhaps we can draw conclusions from the race as to how things will continue for me in the gravel sector. It will definitely be a good opportunity for the Bulls brand to showcase the new Machete gravel bike. I'm really looking forward to the race.
TOUR: There are a lot of road pros at the start. Is that good for gravel racing or not?
Lakata: I'd hate to see a van der Poel take the rainbow jersey and not show it off next year. On the other hand, the presence of the road pros can also be positive. If van der Poel becomes world champion, he could become a great advertising medium for the sport. After all, the entire gravel sector is still in its infancy. If it is marketed well, it could boost the gravel races because other top riders might also move over.
