Slovakian masseur Vladimir Kovacik is competing in the World Road Cycling Championships due to staff shortages

He lasted a little more than 100 kilometers before Vladimir Kovacik was taken out of the race at the World Road Cycling Championships. The masseur of the Slovakian national team was supposed to take part in the 273.4 kilometer men's race due to staff shortages. "This is every driver's dream. And I'm just a massage therapist. This is crazy," Kovacik said. "Our drivers couldn't come because they were injured or for other reasons. So I was our last option."

In fact, two Slovakians were injured and a third was not given permission by his team. If the association had not provided a starter, that could have had consequences for Olympic qualification. The world association UCI could have downgraded the national championships so that riders there could only collect half as many points for Los Angeles 2028. Kovacik's start was therefore a mere formality.

The 28-year-old was once a professional cyclist himself, but contested his last race in 2017. In Montreal he kept up with the field for just over 100 kilometers, then was taken out of the race by the jury like other left-behind riders when it came to the difficult final laps. "It's the race of my life. I'm doing it for Slovak cycling," said Kovacik before the start. The masseur was celebrated as a “hero” and “legend” on social media.

Since the registration deadline had expired, Slovakia could no longer nominate a driver. "A few days ago we decided that," said Kovacik and was a little worried about his appearance: "Form? There is no form. I train a little, but like an amateur."

The supervisor was also confronted with very special challenges. "The last time I got a number was nine years ago. It didn't work right away," Kovacik reported. "And I shaved my legs. That was difficult."