Tour of Utah, stage 3 – Simon Pellaud – Cycling is not an exact science –

THE QUOTE

From Simon Pellaud: “Cycling is not an exact science. Once you get into the break, you have to give everything in order to try and go for the win at the finish.” Though the young Swiss rider did not manage to raise his arms in victory, Pellaud did earn a trip to the podium to receive the red jersey of the most aggressive rider for the stage.

THE ANALYSIS

Again offered by Simon Pellaud. “We flew halfway across the world to come to this race in the US, so I don’t intend to spend my days in the bunch. Striking out in an escape group is the only way for me to distinguish myself. That’s why I tried my luck again today. When the peloton caught me, there was no question of my being able to increase my pace. I have a strong character. Once I am in a break and at the front, I want to go as far as possible. I just love being on the bike, and that’s how I enjoy myself. Now it’s time for recovery, but I am not excluding the possibility of going on the attack again before the end of the Tour of Utah.”

THE ATTRIBUTES

That Lionel Marie uses to describe Simon Pellaud: “He is a valiant racer. He still has many good years ahead of him, and a good margin for progress. He’s always a positive person, always able to move forward. And what’s more, he will continue to improve year upon year. So there’s no need for it to stop here.”

THE ANECDOTE

“A squirrel hopped across the road, and very nearly caused us to crash in the second part of the race,” Simon Pellaud recounted. “He panicked when he saw us coming, but luckily no one went down.”

THE NUMBER

2500 – In meters, that is the altitude where IAM Cycling will be perched in its hotel at Snowbird for the next two nights. Since its arrival in the US, the Swiss cycling team has not dropped below 1500 meters.

Pictures – IAM Cycling