Over a period of 8 years, David Loosli undertook important helper duties in a professional capacity for his leaders in the team. In the meantime, the Bernese, whose career saw him ride in all three Grand Tours (Tour de France, Giro d'Italia and Vuelta a España), is now responsible for the Tour de Suisse route and is a cycling expert for Swiss television

For years you've put yourself at the service of your bosses and worked as a helper doing work that is of the utmost importance to cycling. In your eyes, what are the most important prerequisites for a helper to perform his work well?

A helper must first and foremost be a team player and must also be prepared to transcend his own ego. After all, the only thing that counts is the success of the team. As in a "normal" career, I have enjoyed working for bosses who have shown appreciation and gratitude for the work that I have done for them.

A few years ago you switched sides and are now responsible for the Tour de Suisse route. Can you describe the challenges and difficulties you face as a project manager?

The aim is to create a modern, attractive and above all safe race for all. This may sound simple, but it is actually a huge challenge because, what with the cyclists, spectators, organisers, and security, there are several interested partied involved. My challenge is to therefore strike a balance between all vested interests.

Many hobby cyclists participate in recreational races. What are your most important tips for successful preparation on the one hand, and a successful race on the other?

Those registering for a race should carefully examine what is lying in wait for them. How many kilometres need to be cycled, how long it will roughly take, and what the profile of the route looks like. The training should then be structured accordingly and the goal realistically formulated.

In the race itself, it is important to not let yourself get caught up in race fever, but rein in the horses. It is essential to devise and adhere to your own schedule in terms of speed, eating, and drinking, and constantly listen to your body and respect your own limits of performance.

You ended your career 5 years ago. What would you do differently if you could turn back time?

I very much appreciate the fact that five years ago I had the choice between another season as a professional and a different professional challenge. In retrospect, it would certainly have been exciting to be under contract in a different team. The different mentality, structure, and organisation in an English-speaking or French team, not to mention other training methods, would have certainly done me good. However, I never forced a change during my career.

Foto: ZVG