Q&A with Jay McCarthy ahead of the Giro d'Italia

Jay Macarthy from Tinko-Saxo is in his second year as a pro and is on the eve of riding his first Grand Tour. At 21 he is an exciting prospect in Australian cycling.

McCarthy is product of the High Performance program of Cycling Australian and the Australian Institute of Sport (AIS); he competed with their U23 team, Jayco-AIS, where in 2012 he achieved 6 major wins.

Question:
Congratulations on your first Grand Tour start! What are your thoughts leading into the Giro?

McCarthy:
I’m very excited and, of course, nervous for my first Grand Tour. I feel like everything has come together in the last few months and I’m now In the best condition since I have turned professional.

Question:
This season you have raced many smaller tours, how did the races like Romandie go?

McCarthy:
I started in Australia where I didn’t have the best offseason with a virus in the last week of December. I never felt I got back on top of it through January. I then headed to Dubai Tour, Tour Langkawi, Criterium International and then 3 weeks of altitude in Mount Etna, Italy.

Romandie was my first race down from altitude so it was a shock to the system but I had good legs and did really good work for the team. I think that helped the team. I have basically been on the road with the Giro team for five weeks, so I think that helped when it came to final selections.

Question:
What are your personal goals and team goals for the Giro? Do you have a specific objective given to you by the team?

McCarthy:
We are going for a top GC result with Rafal Majka and Nicolas Roche, so the team will be 100% behind them. Of course there might be few stages where a chance for a break away may come up.

Question:
You have now raced for over a year as a pro, how has your transition to the World Tour been progressing? Any highlights? Any difficulties?

McCarthy:
It has been a big step, it has taken a lot to find my feet, but I have had a very patient team behind me and a lot of guys in the team to look up to for advice. I feel comfortable now and ready to take in the challenges ahead.

Question:
Michael Rogers has returned to racing after his unfortunate incident on the Tour of Japan after the Tour of Beijing. Personally, I think the right decision was made by the authorities, the team and yourself must be thankful that some sensibility has prevailed, what are your thoughts?

McCarthy:
Of course I’m stoked I’m really glad that everything has worked out for him. The team and myself included, he brings so much knowledge and has a great way to bring the team together. He will be a big part of this Giro for the GC leaders like he has been in the past for Alberto Contador and Bradley Wiggins. He is great road captain and can make decisions quickly and efficiently.

Question:
What is your race program looking like after the Giro?

McCarthy:
My first race is the Tour de Suisse. So I have not much time after the Giro but I’ll focus on getting through the Giro first before I look too far ahead.

Question:
Are there any family, friends, supporters or sponsors that you would like to thanks for helping you to get where you are today?

McCarthy:
I’d love to thank my Mum and girlfriend and of course all my family who have always been 100% behind me. Also the Tinkoff-Saxo, the AIS, the Queensland Academy of Sport, QSM Sports, and the Fraser Coast Cycling Club. Also Dave Trevorrow, my first coach, who got me into cycling, and everyone else who has been apart of the journey.

Follow Jay on twitter: @JayMcCarthy1
Team website: www.tinkoffsaxo.com