For the first time ever, Marc Hirschi has won a Swiss gold medal in category-U23 street racing. The Bern native, who was already crowned European champion in July, won on his own after surprise-attacking his final two competitors during a descent.

How did you feel on “your” day in Innsbruck? Can you give us insight into your race and your emotions?

The World Cup in Innsbruck was a very special day with personal high expectations on my part. Since my season had already been going very well so far, I was able to approach the race with an air of calm. In addition, we were very well positioned as a team. In the first leg of the race, I tried to save my strength as much as possible. I excelled at doing so, which boosted my confidence. In the final four rounds, we tried to act tactically and intelligently as a team. For instance, we used the descent to cause difficulties for the others. It came as a bit of a surprise that our little group, including four Swiss athletes, was able to break away from the main field. However, in the following round, our group broke apart again due to a lacking unified approach. I fell back into the trailing group. However, my two team mates were still at the front. This was perfect for us: I benefited from them and they from me. Ultimately, the groups closed the gap again at the final ascent. Now we really got cracking and it was extremely tough. But I still felt good. Once we reached the top of the slope, there were only three of us. But I didn’t want to go into the offensive too early. So I waited for the descent before unleashing my final attack. I knew the descent inside and out and managed to quickly tear open a hole. During the final kilometres through Innsbruck, I was pushing myself to my absolute limits. One kilometre before the end, I looked back and realised I’d made it. It was an incredible feeling.

Your victory was the result of a particularly strong Swiss team performance. What, in your eyes, are the three keys that generally lead to success in sport?

A great many elements have to come together for success in sport. If I had to break it down to three keys, they would be the ambition to withstand the training workload, a good connection with your body so as to know when it is appropriate to work out and how much, and a good environment that enables me to concentrate fully on sport.

What does a professional cyclist’s training look like?  Can you give us an example training week from your day-to-day training? For example, in preparation for the spring race?

A pro biker’s training can vary greatly from week to week. In general, however, basic training plays a more important role. Here is a training week from the team training camp in January:

Day 1: 4.5 h of basic training with 2 x 10 min high-speed intervals
Day 2: 5 h of basic training with team time intervals (1 x 10 min high-speed + 2 x 10 min racing speed)
Day 3: 6.5–7 h of basic training in the mountains
Day 4: laid-back ride with coffee
Day 5: 4.5 h of basic training with 2 x 15–20 min group mountain intervals in the threshold range, final kilometre all out
Day 6: 5 h of basic training with 2 x 10 min high-speed intervals + 1 x 10 min alternation between under and over threshold
Day 7: 6 h of basic training in the mountains

What are your three most important training tips for amateur racing cyclists?

• 2.
  If there is a lack of time, concentrate on short, intense units.
• 4.
  After the exercise, allow your body enough time to adjust. Because proper rest helps you get better.
• 6.
  Design the training to be as varied and exciting as possible.

Do you have a secret tip you would be willing to share with us?

I don’t have any special insider tip. I think the most important thing is to listen to your body and to train hard at the right moment, but to allow your body the necessary rest at the end.

Foto: ZVG