Time trials and tribulations
Fabian Cancellara, the current and two-time world time trial champion, has nothing less than gold in his sights at the Beijing Olympic Games, which start on August 8.
Cancellara, a time trial specialist, spoke to swissinfo on the eve of the Tour de Suisse about his season so far, his chances in China and accusations of drug taking.
The Tour de Suisse, the world’s fourth-biggest cycling tour, began with a prologue on Saturday. It runs until June 22.
swissinfo: What is your aim in the Tour de Suisse this year?
Fabian Cancellara: The Tour de Suisse will be somewhat overshadowed by Euro 2008, but it’s taking place very close to the Olympics, which is my top priority. I don’t have massive expectations of the Tour de Suisse – I’d just like to put in a good performance in those stages that finish in Bern. I like this race and I really hope to win it one day. I’m only 27…
swissinfo: After that you are taking part in the Tour de France, which starts on July 5. Last year you won two stages and briefly wore the “maillot jaune”, the yellow jersey worn by the overall leader.
F.C.: Obviously I’m aiming for the 28km time trial during the first week – that’s obviously an important event with the Olympics in mind, but the maillot jaune itself is also important.
I’ll go to France, place myself at the service of my team and see how things go. Mentally I know I can finish the Tour de France, but I’m going to pay particular attention to how my body reacts. To be honest, the question is to know when I need to stop. But I know these events and I also know myself.
swissinfo: You would need to stop so as to be in shape for the Olympics?
F.C.: Absolutely. It’s not a secret: I’m aiming for gold in the time trial. I’ve been waiting for that moment for four years and I’ll do whatever’s necessary to be on top form when I set off from the starting line. I’ve already seen the Olympic course on DVD and I’ve also had a lot of conversations with people at Swiss Olympic and Swiss Cycling. But I will also need to arrive in Beijing in good time to acclimatise.
swissinfo: So you are constantly thinking about the Olympic Games?
F.C.: Absolutely. I’ve got to deal with the travel dates, acclimatising, the people who are accompanying me… I’m going there for myself and for my country. I’m very happy to be able to take my usual masseur and technician from my team – they know exactly what I need and that is reassuring.
To win gold, everything has to function at 100 per cent – nothing can be left to chance. For example I’m still not fully sure where I’m going to be staying. That depends on where’s best to train.
swissinfo: Are you not putting yourself under too much pressure?
F.C.: I don’t think so. I’m the two-time road world time trial champion and therefore the favourite. But I have enough experience to cope with the situation – and ultimately I know it’s just a cycle race.
swissinfo: You’ve had an incredible start to 2008 with several victories, for example the Milan-Sanremo race. How do you explain this exceptional form?
F.C.: The Tour of California [in February] went really well [Cancellara won the prologue and finished fourth overall] and that preparation meant I was in good form for almost two months afterwards. Looking back, I probably peaked two weeks’ too early and I was lacking a bit of energy for the Paris-Roubaix race in April. But I don’t regret anything and would do exactly the same again.
I’ve improved in all areas and have proved that I’m strong in time trials and sprinting – I’m now also a force to be reckoned with in the mountains!
swissinfo: You told the French newspaper “L’Equipe” about your irritation at being suspected of taking drugs when you do well.
F.C.: I think my team has proved itself in this matter, notably with a special anti-doping programme. Team CSC is open, we provide every required piece of information and every rider – myself included – has submitted countless random samples. I can’t do any more.
My job is to give the most that I can at every race and to get good results. Ultimately I think it’s a political decision to constantly have a go at cycling and not at other sports which deserve to be looked into.
swissinfo: As a world-class athlete you travel abroad a lot. What is your relationship with Switzerland?
F.C.: I have an Italian passport but I am Swiss and very proud of it. I love living here and I could talk about it for hours. Switzerland is so much more than cheese and chocolate…
swissinfo-interview: Mathias Froidevaux
Cancellara was born in Bern in 1981, and became a professional road bicycle racer in 2001.
His career highlights include the under-23 championship individual time trial in 1999, and the Paris-Roubaix race in 2006.
He also won the prologue at the 2004 Tour de France and clinched four titles at Switzerland’s national time trial championships since 2002.
Cancellara joined Team CSC in 2006 after the Fassa Bortolo team was discontinued at the end of 2005.
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