Marcel Aregger «Ready to help at Stresa»

At 23 years old, Marcel Aregger can lay claim to being the youngest rider on the Swiss Pro Continental team, IAM Cycling.

This has not hampered his ability to barge elbows with the best when he is bringing water bottles and extra clothes on the fly for his leaders and teammates.  The rider from Unterägeri in central Switzerland, has been learning his trade in the pro peloton for more than a year now.  On Thursday he will continue his education in an Italian race having already tackled the Camaiore, Strade Bianche and Roma Maxima.

“I have recovered from my efforts on the Italian roads.  I am ready and willing to help at Stresa now, and there certainly is a lot of work to do.  My motivation is good even though I have not had too much luck since the Tour of Qatar.  When I returned home from the Tour of Oman, I got sick and had to take care of myself before jumping back into service at the Kürne-Bruxelles-Kürne.  But I managed to follow the training program as laid out by Marcel Albasini, who is my coach as well as a directeur sportif for the team. 

After my Italian program, I took a two day break and then returned to the drawing board.  Since the weather conditions are perfect, I did my best to fulfill all required exercises.  When I go out to train, there are no simple rides; I am constantly engaging in intervals and rides of high intensity.  For instance, I will do two 20 minute intervals where my power output hits 380 watts.”

In this last stop before heading to the A Travers La Flandre and Gent-Wevelgem next week, Marcel Aregger is anxious to help one of his in-form teammates tackle the hilly course offered at the Coppa di Stresa.

“From what I’ve seen lately, Jonathan Fumeaux is turning the pedals with ease.  He is in great shape.  In these circumstances, I know that we can do something, and why not even shoot for the victory?  Jonathan has not been missing much in recent races to be at the head of affairs.”