11 March 2013
IAM Cycling
The rain of Tuscany did not dampen his enthusiasm. Starting his professional career by joining the new IAM Cycling team, Jonathan Fumeaux (25 years old today) finds himself continually learning his trade. But his learning curve has not prevented this neo-pro from the Valais region from enjoying his new life. After his promising start at the Tours of Qatar and Oman, the ex-rider from the Continental cycling team Personal-Jakroo continued with his education by racing a series of one day races in Italy, and then taking part in a four day training camp in Tuscany under the direction of IAM Cyclings Directeur Sportif Marcello Albasini.
Jonathan Fumeaux, tell us how have your first days racing in the IAM Cycling colors been?
I certainly feel like I have been immersed in the job right from the beginning, starting with Qatar where the wind conditions were extremely challenging, and not exactly my specialty. Then I followed with the Tour of Oman, where I was able to help take care of Johann Tschopp during the climbs. I am comfortable in the hot racing like 28° C, so I really suffered when we had to return to Europe and adapt to the cold again.
Do you feel like the team has been integrating well?
I have not experienced any problems. I quickly felt comfortable with the guys, and the veterans on the team have gone out of their way to help me get my bearings. In my first races, I was a little awed mingling with the likes of Contador, Froome, Evans, Nibali, etc. But, hopefully without sounding pretentious, I cant let these sorts of considerations complicate the already difficult task I have of learning how best to do this job.
What is the biggest difference you have found between racing in the U23 category and now at the Pro level?
The biggest difference so far is just how much faster the racing is. At the GP de Camaiore, we were riding à bloc the entire day, and I was struggling compared to the best. It is both frustrating and encouraging because it gives me a very clear indication of how I measure up to the best, and the distance I will have to improve before I can be among the best. In the pros, the difference in the level of the top 50 riders is so small, were talking millimeters here.
Where do you need to improve?
I need to improve my recovery certainly. Having a bad day is not possible among the pro ranks.
Tell us about your recent training camp in Tuscany.
Under Marcello Albasinis direction, we undertook both long endurance days and combined them also with intensity and race simulation exercises. Since the weather was not exactly accommodating, we were forced to shorten some of our last rides, but were able to compensate that with weight training and muscle exercises according to the Fustra method.
