"It was a really great experience", Nordhagen says. "We had a really great group, and the atmosphere was good from the very beginning. Personally, the first week didn’t go quite the way I had hoped, but I’m especially happy that I kept getting better throughout the Vuelta. I felt like my level improved every week and that I was ultimately able to finish the race at a good level and in a good way. That gives me a lot of confidence for the future."

How would you describe the Vuelta in one word?
"Brutal. There were so many difficult days in the mountains. I don’t think there was hardly a stage without climbing. You either have the legs or you don’t. The heat also played a major role. It was really hot from the very first day, and every day was a battle against the heat. The staff did a fantastic job of keeping us as cool as possible, with extra bottles, ice and all kinds of other cooling equipment."

What did you learn about yourself during the Vuelta?
"That I need to keep believing in myself, even when things don’t go my way. I realized that a few difficult days can quickly turn around and that good days can come after a tough stretch. On some days, I didn’t have my best legs, but then you try to reset and start again the next day with a positive mindset. That’s probably one of the most important lessons I’ll take away from this Vuelta: you always get new opportunities.

I also paid close attention to how our team leaders handle the pressure. They keep going for the result day after day while keeping things simple at the same time. That’s really inspiring to see. In the end, it’s about trying to perform every day and getting the most out of yourself."

Wout and Matthew won two and five stages, respectively, while Wout also claimed the green jersey. What was it like for you to experience that from such a close perspective?
"I’ve obviously watched Wout race many times and seen him do some incredible things. To now be there myself and experience it all up close made it extra special. Matthew and I raced together on the Development Team and followed a similar path. To be able to experience this together is something I really value. I’m really happy for Matthew that he did so well."

How special is it to be part of such a historic Vuelta as a Grand Tour debutant?
"Steven put it really well. Toward the end of the Vuelta, he came up to us and said, ‘This is not how a first Grand Tour normally goes. In some Grand Tours, you have to suffer for three weeks just to get that one win, and now we’re winning one-third of all the stages. You have to realize how special this is and make sure you never take it for granted.’ Now that I think about it, I’m starting to realize more and more just how special it was."

The Vuelta was Steven’s final race as a professional. What was it like racing alongside him?
"It was really inspiring to spend three weeks on the road with him. He has so much experience, and in almost every team meeting, he had valuable input on different race scenarios. I also spent some time in a breakaway with him. He kept me calm and told me what I should and shouldn’t do. That allowed me to focus on myself and do my own thing on the final climb."

What was your favorite moment of the Vuelta?
"That was the penultimate stage. The way we worked together as a team and helped Sepp move up to fifth place in the overall standings was the absolute highlight for me. We came up with a plan on the bus that morning and executed it to perfection. Wout and I were in the breakaway, and at one point we heard over the radio that Sepp was riding up to us. First, Wout did a huge amount of work, and then it was my turn to contribute to Sepp’s ambitions in the overall standings. I was happy that I had good legs that day, which allowed me to ride to the finish with Sepp. I finished seventh that day, but my own result wasn’t important at that point."

Does your first Grand Tour leave you wanting more?
"It’s always been a goal of mine to perform well in a Grand Tour. It’s something I look forward to and something I want to work toward in the future. It might sound crazy so soon after the Vuelta, but I’m already looking forward to racing another Grand Tour. As tough and demanding as these past three weeks have been, I really enjoyed it."