A different kind of Tuesday at the Plaza Éboli Cycling Academy: visit, experiences and riding with Eleazar Jiménez

Tuesday. Afternoon of activity in the Plaza Éboli Cycling Academy of Pinto, more focused at this stage of the year in the road modality. But a very different afternoon, to the surprise of the members of the School. The youth cyclist from Madrid Eleazar Jiménez visited the school, shared pedalling with its members and answered the many questions that came from an enthusiastic crowd.

Jiménez, a second year junior who competes this season in the category structure of Team Polti Kometa of the Contador Foundation after a first campaign in the Ciudad de Talavera, wanted to return to what was his home a few years ago, still close in time. ‘It has been an incredible experience, I had a great time and enjoyed a lot. Even the rain respected us. Five or six years ago I came to train like them, to this circuit. And even though you know it, it makes you realise how fast time goes by. I was in their place two days ago and in no time they will be in mine,’ says Jiménez.

From the very first moment I was one of them, as if I went every day to training with them. They asked me lots of questions, they were interested in every detail. They seemed very excited about the experience, enthusiastic. It has been an honour to enjoy this opportunity, I am very grateful to both Álvaro (Álvaro García, director of the academy) and Javi (Javier Cebolla, one of the instructors) for giving me this opportunity. I’ve really enjoyed it and it’s very nice to remember those moments at the Foundation School when I was a fry’. Jiménez is currently finalising his preparations for the University Entrance Examination and the experience with the Plaza Éboli Cycling Academy helped him to get a breath of fresh air with a relaxed sporting practice.

‘The fact that Eleazar came to the school a few years ago helped the kids to see themselves reflected in him. The younger ones were interested in how many victories he had in the Tour and more innocent and friendly things. The older ones were interested in his training, his routines, the races in his category… They looked at him with a lot of admiration, as if he were a professional. You have to put yourself in the children’s shoes, especially those who are more interested in competition. Eleazar’s visit made them very excited, for them he is a reference and, in a way, also a motivation. And above all, they had a great time, which is the most important thing”, says Javier Cebolla, the monitor of the Plaza Éboli Cycling Academy.

The Plaza Éboli Cycling Academy meets every Tuesday and Thursday afternoon from 17:30 to 19:30 (CET). Its registration period is always open and for any questions and information you can consult its website.

[📷 David Gómez 🙏💙 ]