In conversation with Mathias Frank, 04. May 2012

Swiss rider Mathias Frank has been a professional cyclist since 2008 and will start the Tour de Suisse this year with the BMC Racing Team. Even in the first year of his career as a professional cyclist, Mathias Frank was able to mount a challenge in a GP as well as Switzerland’s team time trial championships. In 2010, the Swiss rider won both the King of the Mountain and Sprint classifications in the Tour de Suisse. In our interview, Mathias Frank outlines his targets for this year’s Tour de Suisse which he is particularly looking forward to and recalls a powerful moment for him in last year’s race.

How did you get into cycling and when did you get your big break as a professional cyclist?

Through the cycling club in the Rapperswil region, through my father who had raced previously and through my brother. My big break was in 2008 with Gerolsteiner in the Tour of California.

Can you give us an idea of what constitutes a day in the life of a professional cyclist?

Training. Lots of training. The day starts between 7.00 and 7.30 with breakfast and a quick read of the newspaper, then I get on my bike. Later on I do some upper body training, and then I end the day with a good meal and a good sleep.

How has the 2012 season started for you and what are your plans for the year?

The season started early for me with the Tour Down Under – a superb race with Martin Kohler, who wore the leader’s jersey for a couple of days. Then it was Majorca, Lugano and the Tour of Catalonia. Certainly, a major target for this season is the Tour de Suisse and some good preparation in the Giro d’Italia. Of course I’d love to take part in the Olympic Games as well.

What does the Tour de Suisse mean to you?

Certainly, it’s a very special race – not least because it’s in Switzerland. From my point of view, it’s the most highly regarded after the Tour de France. It’s a big race which also suits me. The mountains and climbs – it’s what I know and what I like. 

After a brilliant 6th place in the overall classification in the 2011 Tour de Suisse, what are your targets for this year’s event?

The minimum is to be in the top ten again – to confirm my position again: that’s the target. This year’s Tour is slightly more demanding than the last one. Hopefully, I’ll come out of the Giro in good form for the Tour de Suisse.

Was there a particularly powerful moment for you in the last Tour de Suisse?

During the stage to Malbun, I fell just before the Luzisteig climb which initially lost me more and more time. But then I got the fire in my belly and rode at top speed, and by the end I was able to make up almost one minute on the leaders. The fact that I got myself back into contention showed me that it’s going well and that I’m strong and don’t need to hide.

The local organising committees put a lot of effort into providing a warm reception and a great atmosphere for the riders, the whole Tour caravan and spectators. As a rider, do you pick up on any of that, or are you simply so absorbed in the race that you don’t have much interest in all the razzamatazz that goes with it?

Yes, you do pick up on some of it. You notice the great support that cycling gets in Switzerland and the huge amount of passion the host venues have invested in it. And it’s like what you hear from the other riders: that the Tour de Suisse is one of the most popular races. The race organisation is perfect and everything works well.

What do you think of the contact with the fans and spectators during the Tour de Suisse?

Very good! My family and lots of my friends are there. It’s wonderful. Switzerland isn’t all that big so spectators can easily keep up with the race at different stages. You have the support of the fans and can tell that cycling is alive and well in Switzerland.

How do you spend your time between the individual stages?

In most races, we don’t have much time. After I’ve crossed the finishing line, I have a shower on the bus then we go back to the hotel; then I have a massage, an evening meal and I might watch a film with the team before I go to bed.

How would you respond to the following statements:

- Cycling is my job and my passion
- My racing bike is a BMC teammachine – it’s the best I’ve ever ridden
- My team – BMC – is a terrific team with lots of top world-class athletes and one of the most professional teams in cycling