A ’90s Hero Soared on a Vintage Beauty! When Did He Curse the Race Director?

He drew admiration and compliments from all sides! Spectators along the route, amateur cyclists in the peloton, and former professionals participating in the inaugural Mountain L'Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France all paid tribute to him. At 55 years old, Ján Svorada completed the 102-kilometre circuit in Prachatice and South Bohemia, featuring a 2,200-metre elevation gain, riding a 36-year-old bike as an ambassador for the Heroes category. As he crossed the finish line in the packed town square, he received a rapturous ovation.

Riding a 1988 Specialized Allez Epic, Svorada completed the challenging route in three hours, five minutes, and 58 seconds—just 25 minutes behind the overall winner. "I had to deliver a very tactical performance. But despite the tough course, I enjoyed the race, even though at one point, I was cursing the race director," the former sprinter admitted with a smile afterward.

During the 1990s and early 2000s, Svorada was a star of the peloton. He won three stages at the Tour de France, three at the Vuelta, and six at the Giro d’Italia. He also celebrated victories in major races like the Tour de Romandie, the Volta a Catalunya, and Tirreno-Adriatico. That he triumphed in the Heroes category—dedicated to bikes manufactured before 1993—at both the Short Route of June’s Hilly L'Etape and the Mountain Stage in August’s third weekend surprised no one. Yet the way he "flew" on his vintage bike inspired even younger competitors riding the latest-generation machines.

When you saw the profile of the Mountain L'Etape Czech Republic by Tour de France in Prachatice, did you regret being an ambassador for the Heroes category and the obligation to ride a bike over 30 years old?

Not at all! Since the Hilly Stage, I did everything to ensure my Epic was ready to perform in Prachatice. In Prague and Central Bohemia, I rode with a cassette where the largest cog had 23 teeth. For Šumava, I managed to source a cassette with a 25-tooth cog. Even so, some climbs were really tough, particularly the ascent to Kleť. And then the final climb to Rohanov—I had to give it my absolute maximum there. But I thoroughly enjoyed the race. The course dried up as the day went on, and the temperature was perfect. It was great for both cyclists and fans.

Did you make any changes to the bike after your experience in the Hilly Stage? Did you focus on training with the vintage Epic in preparation for the significant elevation gain?

I swapped out the saddle, which was very soft during the Prague stage. I managed to endure 60 kilometres on it, but I didn’t want to risk it for a 100-kilometre course with steep climbs. After changing the cassette, I also had to replace the chain. Then I went on three rides of 45 to 50 kilometres each to make sure the bike functioned perfectly and wouldn’t hold me back on the course. Everything worked flawlessly, even though riding it is quite different. Without disc brakes, you have to start braking early, especially in the rain, to make sure the pads and rims are ready. The gear shifting is also a completely different experience.

Many cyclists, as well as spectators, were amazed by how well you performed on the old bike, especially in the climbs, where they said you were flying, and many competitors were left trailing behind. Did you have that good of legs?

I didn’t have any other choice, really, because I simply didn’t have an easier gear, so I had to spin whatever I had available. Everyone else was switching to an easier gear in the climbs, but I couldn’t afford to ease up any more. I tried to keep a steady cadence and distribute my energy well, conserving strength. Paradoxically, the climbs weren’t the worst; it was the flat sections or slight descents where everyone logically chooses a heavier gear and the kilometres quickly tick by. But I had a 52-tooth chainring and a 15-tooth cog, so I couldn’t really help the group much. I had to ride strategically, drafting and constantly pedalling away, which must have looked quite funny. It required a lot of tactical effort on my part.

Did you enter the race with a specific goal in mind, like how fast you wanted to complete the Mountain L'Etape Czech Republic?

Not at all. I didn’t race for the result. On my own bike, I would have definitely been faster—maybe by about ten minutes. I rode as hard as I could manage. I found a group that matched my pace. I’m convinced that once you’re past 50th place, it doesn’t matter where you finish. The main thing is to enjoy the day on the bike, riding on completely closed-off roads.

Many cyclists were pushing their bikes on the climb to Kleť and then up the final climb to Rohanov, even though they had easier gears available. Were you ever close to a situation where you would have had to get off your bike?

I knew that the Mountain L'Etape was going to be really tough. Mentally, I was well-prepared. But on the final climb to Rohanov, I was cursing the project manager who had convinced me to take on the ambassador role for the Heroes category. After ninety kilometres, it was borderline to tackle such a brutal climb with my gearing. I really had to give it everything. But getting off and pushing? That didn’t happen.

Will you return to the peloton next year in the saddle of a historic bike?

If I could choose, I would definitely ride Prachatice on my own bike. I would have enjoyed the race more. The sixty kilometres of the Mountain Stage in Prague and Central Bohemia could have been done on a folding bike with a bit of exaggeration, but the Mountain Stage was truly a mountain. I think even people with historic bikes would have chosen newer bikes for this route. And I don’t blame them, because if you don’t have the experience, I can’t imagine how anyone would manage on the climbs to Kleť or Rohanov.

While you completed the Mountain Route in a historic yellow jersey for the leader of the Peace Race, you started the Mountain L'Etape in a more modern jersey. Was the heavy rain at the start the reason?

Partly. I had the yellow jersey ready, but in thirty-degree heat, I would have baked on that hundred-kilometre route. And in the case of the rainy weather that accompanied the start, there was a risk that after putting the race bibs in my pockets, the jersey would have been anything but comfortable. So, I took advantage of the race partner Kalas' offer and wore a jersey made from modern materials, which still carried the Peace Race reference.

The race was lined with crowds of spectators who cheered not only for the leaders but also for participants at the back of the peloton. Were you surprised by how many fans gathered along the route?

I didn’t expect anything less. Honestly. L'Etape Czech Republic is a well-established event, and people really connect with it. I think the race always brings a great sense of excitement to the local area, providing entertainment not just for the moment when the peloton passes by.