Words James Ion - Photography loan guegan Velo photo & GABRIELE FACCIOTTI
Greatness is banded around quite a lot, the term GOAT is handed out after only a few great performances so that it can lose its shine, its real meaning.
When you come into contact with actual greatness it is apparent straight away. The way they handle themselves, the way they talk with confidence and enthusiasm. It gives off an aura that sets them apart from the rest.
One man who enthuses such characteristics is the Irishman Nicolas Roche. A four-time Irish National Champion (both Road and ITT) two-time Vuelta stage winner, multiple top tens, grand tours, and classics, they may not be “stellar” results, especially in cycling, however, this doesn't always tell the full story.
What makes Nico great is that he was always there, always working, always animating the race. Speaking with him only further emphasises this, he is now two years into his retirement from the road and yet that aura is still there, the way he talks about racing, training and the current cycling scene with such assurance, it is hard to not be impressed. Which is why it is exciting that he has turned his attention to GRVL racing.
“It was not an initial plan” reflects Nico from his Monaco home, “I knew I would be still riding as I wanted to still look fit in cycling gear.” Due to a set of chance circumstances, he ended up riding on an adventure with his brother at Wish Gravel in Millau, France. “When I stopped on the road I was lucky enough to be initially supported by Fifty One Bikes an Irish hand-built bike company, and that gave me my first taste of GRVL”. Happenstance struck again when working in Italy “I was doing some promo work for Bianchi and my road bike was not available so they let me have a GRVL bike, I signed up for the Nuovo Eroica in Tuscany and it just escalated from there.” The old feelings came back, the adrenalin from competition the feelings in the legs, but still it wasn't the most auspicious of starts “The first 90 km were great then I punctured out of the race, but it was just enough to say I would try it again, I said to myself ‘I kinda like this thing’.” It is fair to say GRVL made a positive impression on him “It was fun and safe, it had such a great atmosphere and vibe, there was no ego or nothing to prove it was just getting out and ride, but even then there was still no clear plan to get into GRVL”
It was a move into the role of Sports Director that opened up the possibility of getting into GRVL. “When I retired I still didn't know exactly what I was going to do, I had TV work lined up and a few other ideas but it was then that Trinity Sports Management got in contact with me to act as an SD for their MTB riders.” This put him for the first time in contact with Brands that supported GRVL “As a pro you don't get to talk to the brands there is no direct contact, so being an SD gave me an opportunity to do something different. After ten-plus years of just cutting and pasting each season, I was blown away by the variety of GRVL! It was a real eye-opener, in the last two years I am living the dream!” Indeed he has, to date, travelled to over 24 countries and met tonnes of organisers who are all super reactive and happy creating a truly incredible experience for Nico who, fresh from the rigours of the World Tour, it was just what he needed.
“I had a great career, don't get me wrong, but at the end, I was not loving it.” Nico finished his career with DSM a team renowned for their strict protocol and structured methods which don't suit everyone “Yeah it was frustrating and led to a few arguments about the season, we had a clash of opinions.” It was advice from his cousin, fellow World Tour Pro Dan Martin that set him on the path to retirement “We had a chat and he laid out all the reasons why I should stop. The journey to this decision changed so many times though, I felt I could do one more year, but I also knew that big names like Nibali and Gilbert were going to stop in one year, and I would be competing with them for jobs in the media, or SD work, if I stopped now I would have a head start.” It was Dan Martin who again helped him make the final decision, but not in the way you might expect “I crashed hard and took Dan out with me” reflects Nico with a rueful smile, lying on the ground he knew he was done.
Cycling has always been a family business for Nico, his father Stephen Roche won a few races in his time, and as mentioned his cousin Dan Martin had a highly successful career and his brother Alexis was a promising junior. Sadly with 14 years difference between them, they didn't get to ride together on the road.
“Alexis was going well and could have made it, but he would have had to work hard and move up from Conti to World Tour, COVID didn't help as the chances were not available, but GRVL has now given us the chance to ride and race together and to explore the world together!”
The next chapter was being written, part of this was the formation of NR Grvl a collective of riders including Nico, his brother Alexis, Minke Bakker and Frenchman Julian Lino. According to Nico, they are more than a team “We travel and look after each other, it is more like a traditional club where we treat each other like family. Performance is important but the adventure and the togetherness have the most value.”
It is clear that after so many years as a Pro on the road, Nico is looking to be more in control of when and where he rides his bike. “It is all on my terms now, I can change my program and pick destinations based on where I want to visit. I still love riding my bike and still want to be competitive, I want to go as deep as I can. I won't take as many risks as I know how much it can hurt, but I don't know how to ride slowly!”
And it shows, with numerous podiums and top tens, he can still mix it with the best of them, despite not training as much as he once did.
“Yes it is still difficult to stay motivated” smiles Nico “My go-to ride is a 3-hour endurance ride, but ask me to do a 5-hour ride and it's hard to get me out of the door.” One thing about being an ex-pro in Monaco is that plenty of World Tour Pros still want to train. “I will often train with the likes of Jasper Stuyven and just fit in with his training plan, I can still hang with him and follow so that helps to stay motivated on those long rides.”
With his years of experience in the World Tour Nico can offer a unique perspective on the current GRVL scene. “It is the perfect sweet spot” he claims “In the last two years the level has really grown. Starts have become more controlled, whereas it was all about power and riding people off the wheel it has become more nuanced with tactics becoming more and more important, you saw it at Unbound with Keegan being marked out of the race. But GRVL is still a very niche sport with only about 10-20% of the participants there for the racing, for the most it is the experience that is the first thought”
“The races are all so different, with unique organisers and promoters who have their own rules. The UCI coming in has made for safer courses and arrows! I like a good arrow to follow! Even so structured teams are being seen at races, but as long as it stays as 2-3 riders it will still keep its unique feel, five or more and it will just become like a classic.”
Before we finished our conversation it would be a missed opportunity not to ask if he had any tips for riders wanting to go pro in the GRVL scene. “Don’t be afraid to ask” responds Nico “Support can come in any form, and not always from cycling brands.
I am sponsored by Straight Line Consulting who specialise in Construction Consulting so have no links to cycling, I would always recommend speaking to local organisations or companies. Start with a short PDF presentation about yourself, list your results and what you can offer. Social media did carry a lot of weight at the start when companies were looking to get exposure in GRVL, but as it becomes more mainstream results are going to become more important than followers, just get out there and get good results and network with as many people as you can.”
And what is next for Nico, how will the next chapter continue, “The vibe is still growing, it is more like a festival at races, I want to experience it all I have already signed up for my first GRVL stage race in 2025 the Sahara Gravel just me and close friends racing hard through the desert, it is going to be epic!”
Still looking for adventure and still pushing himself to the limits, Nico Roche is not one to sit still, but then the great ones never are.
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