November 03, 2008

Good Bye Frischi

As I write this, my last training as a professional cyclist is behind me. My very last race in 20 years of pro cycling is still ahead.
  This summer I was not quite sure how many ‘Cross races I was going to do in my last season. I even thought about continuing until Nationals in January 2009.
 

My left knee made the decision for me. Like last year, I hurt my meniscus in a crash during training at the World Cup final in Schladming in September. Ever since, I rode in pain, sometimes more, sometimes less. In order to heal, I needed a break of a few weeks. This was also a sign to call it an end. It was tough, because I wanted to finish up with some of the classic races in my area and have the pleasure to race the brand new SCOTT carbon Cyclocross bike before retiring.
  I chose Hittnau near Zürich to be my very last race. It’s where I started my cycling career. In September 1985, I did my very first Cyclocross race there… and won!
23 years later the circle is going to close, most likely not with a win.
 

I used up all my luck and energy to win in Steinmaur last weekend, the longest running ‘cross race in Switzerland (2008 was the 48th edition). It is the one prestigious race that I was never able to win as a pro. But I had like six or so second places there. Finally, in my second to last race, my little dream came true. I have to say that because of the World Cup in Tabor, many of the best riders where missing. But a win is a win. And it was a tight one too. Five riders went into last lap together, Belgium's Davy Commeyne and Jan Sloetens plus Swiss Lukas Flückiger and my teammate Jürg Graf. Jürg opened up a gap for me with half a lap to go. Flückiger closed it, but at the very end I had the 3 seconds I needed to bring it home. The win was a sweet one. The dry and fast course with not one dismount did its part to make it happen. In the previous races I had problems with my knee, especially in the running sections. Jürg Graf’s third place and Mathias Rupps victory in the Amateur category made the Swisspower team’s success complete.
We had very mild weather until a few days ago. In Hittnau, there will be Cyclocross conditions at their worst! We got our first snowstorm a few days ago. Now there are 20 centimeters of snow on the course that are slowly melting.


This is a finale I could only dream of. First, I unexpectedly win my second-to-last race and then I get one last chance to experience the full on Cyclocross experience - riding and running in deep mud. These tough conditions will allow me to leave racing with no regrets…

Ride on,

Frischi