Tiago Ferreira: "We will be two very strong couples".

Tiago Ferreira together with Wout Alleman is one of the favourite couple teams of this Andalucía Bike Race by Garmin. The Portuguese, was the last winner in pairs (2016) along with Periklis Ilias. He returns to the competition that he defines as 'coming home' because he feels very comfortable.

After a 2020 without competitions Andrea Marconi, team manager of the DMT Racing Team by Marconi explains that "2020 was a difficult year that taught us all to adapt to all situations and with the ability to improvise". That's why they decided to go for a renewed and young team with Wout Alleman and Vinzent Dorn. "The two young riders are very technical, fast, explosive and fearless, they are gaining experience to surprise", tells Marconi.

Tiago Ferreira, who has a lot of experience in stage races and knows perfectly Andalucía Bike Race by Garmin, emphasizes that "maybe we can be the first leaders of the first UCI MTB Marathon Series. I'm going to enjoy it as I have done every year, we'll try to win again in pairs and we'll do our best to enjoy it as much as possible".

Together with Wout Alleman, who will be making his debut in a stage race, they will be fighting for the podium. "We will have two very strong teams in this Andalucía Bike Race by Garmin, me because of my experience in this kind of competitions and Wout is a young man with a lot of desire to grow and to face new challenges". The Portuguese also refers to the other pair of the DMT Racing Team by Marconi: "Vinzent Dorn -who already participated in the last edition- and Roberto Ferreira are in a good shape, they look very similar and they will get along very well. There is a chance that they could win the stage and the podium".

Although Tiago has always done very well in both Córdoba and Jaén, "I feel more comfortable in Jaén, as the stages are faster and more demanding. I like the fact that the first day starts with a time trial, because we go faster and make a difference".

When asked about how he is preparing, Ferreira explains "I will be well to Andalucía Bike Race by Garmin. With Wout we share a coach and we are focused on the same goal. In this way it's easier to work and be aligned".

Tiago Ferreira stands out that he is more comfortable participating as an individual, because "everything depends on me". Even so, Marconi has an advice for all the participants: "to compete in pairs, you have to know your partner, have confidence and get excited together, or on the third day you will already be at each other's throats".