19 July 2013
IAM Cycling
“After the Tour of Switzerland, I needed a vacation. I cleared my mind. I did not want to ride.”
Marcel Wyss sits soaking up the rays on the sunny terrace at the Hospice de la Bernina, where IAM Cycling is spending a good week training at altitude.
Injured mentally as much as physically after suffering two big crashes at the Tour of Switzerland, the 27 year old Wyss now feels rejuvenated, preparing for the second half of the season by training in the Swiss mountains.
“During my break, I enjoyed snowshoeing on the glaciers and also rode on my tandem with a friend. I just needed to relax and recover. The fact that my wounds took a long time to heal is proof of my fatigue. Now after the Swiss Championships, everything is back where is should be right on schedule.”
Wyss now can confess to feeling hungry for racing in the coming months.
“Im looking forward to starting the Trophée Matteotti on July 28th before moving onto the Tour of Portugal. That will be a difficult event, raced at a very high level. I remember racing it as an stagiaire with Scott American Beef. After that there will be many equally interesting races to focus on, including Milan Turin, the Tour of Lombardy, and maybe even the Tour of Britain.”
Regarding participating in this years World road race in Florence, Wyss has no illusions.
“At the moment, the Swiss can send just six riders, so there is no chance Ill be a member of the team. Spots would be at a premium even if we had nine places. I prefer to concentrate on the up-coming races and not worry about being chosen. If I do get called up, that would be great because the course is very selective.”
Happy to have accepted Michel Thétazs offer to join IAM Cycling after two years of struggling with a tumor located between his ribs and intestines, Wyss is looking forward to next season.
“I had a good spring and was really in excellent shape for the Tour of Switzerland. I was just unlucky there and could not capitalize on my form. But I am convinced that I can do better in 2014.”
