10 February 2013
IAM Cycling
Sébastien, you just finished a training week in the south of France, how do you feel?
Well, we have achieved a good work session in ideal conditions, which was not the case in my hometown where the weather made it almost impossible to ride. So, perfect timing and we were even able during these few days to make a clear recognition of the key stages of the Tour du Haut-Var in which I just learned that I will be aligned.
Where are you in your preparation?
Again I am very happy, I feel that my peak form could come a little earlier this season. I’m usually on top in early spring, around April, but the good winter preparation and the new management and techniques which I benefit from now give me the feeling of being already in shape and I feel it in my legs! I was able to finalise this preparation this week, and I’m looking forward to the races, I have a great desire to race!
Is the training different in your new team?
Not completely, even if it is true that the workloads are still different from what I usually do at this time of the year. The program established by our Directeur Sportif Marcello Albasini is more focused on the quantitative while I work more by alternating both qualitative and quantitative with my personal coach Raphael Faiss, who is also responsible for my friend and colleague Johann Tschopp.
Mentally, you feel strong?
This is the least we can say. The spirit of the team suits me very well and it is also a significant advantage. I worked this week with most neo pros of the team – Marcel Aregger, Patrick Schelling – I already knew them a little and we get along very well. Alexandr Pliuschin and Marcel Wyss were also with us and gave us the benefit of their experience. Although still young, Marcel Wyss often takes things in hand and it is very nice to talk with him for the confidence and performance.
You announced your engagement on the Tour du Haut-Var, what is your program until then?
I’ll be heading home in Valais tomorrow. Priority will be to rest to really capitalise on the efforts we did this week. I will then have to “restart the engine” as they say and there it depends a bit on the weather. A priori work on home trainer and maybe a bit of track because there will probably be snow everywhere! If I can ride the roads, I’ll do a bit of “fixie”, an alternative to which I turn often during the winter.
“Fixie”? We did not think you were that kind of “coursier” …!
Yes, this is a very good exercise, at least for me. Of course it’s the case on the track, but to go out on the road I have a bike mounted fixed with my usual position, a road handlebar, my pedals, etc.. The continuous pedaling is already a very good exercise and it is also very good for the pedaling itself – more “round” on this type of machine. A small ride of a an hour on a hilly course can really work properly.
Thank you Sébastien and all the best for this season!
Thank you, see on the roads!
