Paris is what drives Nelson Oliveira on his way to 20 great tours.

Nelson Oliveira, the Portuguese cyclist who has most often competed on major tours in the last three decades, sets off on the tour satisfied with the confidence Movistar puts in its role as a community and the drive to get to Paris.

At 34, the low-key runner from Vilariño do Bairro, Anadia, will start his seventh Tour de France and the 18th major Tour of his career on Saturday in Bilbao (he has been to the Vuelta eight times and the Giro three times). times), a number that is unmatched by other Portuguese who have joined the international peloton in the last three decades.

“There are already seven tours, but being among the best always motivates. Knowing that this is the biggest race we have, one of the biggest sporting events in the world, it’s always a pleasure to be a part of this event. , The presence is also a sign that the work is done well, that the team appreciates me and therefore they take me,” he said in statements to the Lusa agency.

To talk about Nelson Oliveira is to talk about one of the best squires in the world team, a role he proudly assumes, and in this edition of The Big Book he will see him working for Spaniard Enric Mas, who finished fifth in 2020. and sixth in 2021.

“I am a sociable person, I think there is no doubt about that. This year we have a leader, the leader trusts my work and I also proved that when I do my job, I do it well. The team also trusts me. I’ve been with Movistar for eight years now and that also gives me extra motivation,” he admitted.

The fact that this tour starts from Bilbao makes the only Spanish team present feel “a little more responsibility”, according to the Portuguese, who foresees “three very difficult stages, mostly the first” in the Basque Country.

“Everyone will try to be ahead and our goal will be to leave Bilbao without wasting time on the main candidates,” he said, stating that he believes the final victory will be decided between defending champion Dane Jonas Wingegaard. (Jumbo-Visma), and the previous two-time champion Slovenian Tadej Pogakar (Emirates UAE), and the rest of the favorites had to “be content” with the fight for the bottom step of the podium.

Mas’ loyal “squire” means that Oliveira “forgets” his personal ambitions, and the winner of the Vuelta (2015) stage admits that his goal is the same as always: “to reach Paris”.

“The rest is a bit extra. I’m going with the goal of helping our leader and team with the challenges that are offered to me. If I can go on the run like every year and be able to win and be competitive, because that would be good too. But the goal is to work for the leader and be focused on him and take him as far as my body will allow,” he added.

Thus, participation in the discussion of the stage will depend “on the tactics of each day of the team”, but “Nelsinho” believes that “there will definitely be days” in which he can escape or fight for triumph, or ‘fall’ to help No at a key moment.

“I think there will probably be that opportunity, but we never know what to expect from the Tour,” he added, with the experience of someone who is finishing his 14th season with an international team.

As he prepares to start his 18th Grand Tour, Oliveira makes no secret of the fact that he would like to reach a round number, the same number that Acasio da Silva achieved during his last participation in the Giro in 1993.

“Big tours start weighing, that’s true too, but I don’t think about it… I would certainly like to do 20. Let’s get started. I think I still have a few more years to race, I think that number will be reached,” he said, suggesting he likes that two dozen “big” ones have happened on the Tour.

“Hopefully soon,” he concluded.