Slovakian cycling is riding a wave at the moment with the likes of world champion Peter Sagan (Tinkoff) and the Velits brothers Peter and Martin putting the country on the cycling map. The challenge for Slovakia will be to build on that success, and young Erik Baska looks like he could be the next rider to pick up the mantle.
At just 22, Baska is riding his first season at WorldTour level after being picked up by the Tinkoff team for the 2016 season. He’s already begun making his name as a race winner after an impressive sprint win at the Handzame Classic two weeks ago. Now he is mixing it with the big names and was part of the team that helped Sagan to glory at Gent-Wevelgem.
“It was perfect but for me, it was a really hard experience. We tried to get the maximum for Peter but, for me as a rider, it was really hard,” he told Cyclingnews at the Three days of De Panne, a race that he hopes to have a few of his own chances at. “I really enjoy it, but it’s not easy to ride here in Belgium. I want to try and get more experience, and I want to learn a lot about it.”
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Baska’s introduction to De Panne was a tough one with two ascents of the Muur Van Geraardsbergen and crosswinds to contend with, and he eventually rolled in with the main peloton over 14 minutes down. The lumpy stage 2 from Zottegem to Oostduinkerke should be more up his alley.
A latecomer to cycling
Cyclingnews talks to him on the start line at De Panne, as he leans up against the barriers, his voice just audible over the other noise that surrounds him. Baska is a softly spoken and unassuming rider; he doesn't hold the same presence as his countryman Sagan, but he's undoubtedly quick in a sprint and a promising prospect. He was a relative latecomer to riding and first got into mountain biking at the age of 14. His path into road racing came when Tibor Velits, the uncle of Martin and Peter, began coaching him while he was riding for the local CK Epic Dohňany team.
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