Professional cyclist Thalmann opens his heart and soul on the Costa Blanca: “I would be stupid if I didn’t give it my all.”

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They kick, they sweat, they suffer. Hour after hour, day after day. Fans? Standing on the side of the road is not allowed. An interview? Nobody wants it. TV cameras? You search in vain. They are still laughing, the cycling professionals of Team Tudor. «A training camp in winter is often monotonous. But it is necessary. If you don’t sow, you won’t reap. And we also have fun,” says Roland Thalmann.

The 30-year-old is part of Swiss team Tudor and has just returned from a six-hour drive. He was divided into “Group 4” with the other climbers on the team. “Today was not about driving with a high heart rate. It was about the basics, everything was comfortable,” he says. Cozy? The figures: 185 kilometers, 3,625 elevation meters and an average speed of 30.8 km/h. According to the bike computer, he burned 4,389 calories.

A paradise for the cycling teams

It is early January 2024 when we accompany Thalmann for a day in Albir on the Costa Blanca. He loves the Spanish sun, “but you don’t have to have the annoying wind,” he jokes. The 17 degrees are still good, even if swimming on the beach is unthinkable.

Several world-class teams have pitched their tents in the immediate area. No wonder: the roads are good, there is little traffic in winter, you can go up and down for a long time or race at a flat pace on the time trial bike. The landscape? Astonishing. “Simply perfect,” says CEO Raphael Meier. “Next year we will change hotels, maybe we will look for something smaller,” he says.

“The porridge is crucial”

But back to the beginning. It is half past seven when we knock on the door of Thalmann’s hotel room. ‘Good morning, come in. We didn’t clean up,” he says, smiling. After that it goes quickly. Sneakers on, lenses on, all the way to the enormous breakfast room: there are hardly any other hotel guests at this time of year.

At the buffet, Thalmann looks for what he often eats during his 15 days in Spain: kiwi, orange, soft cheese, nuts. “But the crucial thing is porridge. I refine this with my own poppy seed mixture, which I take everywhere with me.” It’s important to cut calories, but it should still taste good.

Almost quit – but then came Tudor

Even though everyday life can be tough without family and friends, Thalmann enjoys the moment. No wonder, he experienced it differently. “I spent my entire career with second-rate teams and was almost done with cycling. Then Tudor came along and everything changed. I would be stupid if I didn’t give it my all and have fun.”

The Entlebucher is aware that he will no longer be a serial winner. His role is mainly that of helper. He is good on the surface and on the mountain, and is fast. ‘But nowhere great. That’s why I do everything I can to help my teammates shine.”

At some point after breakfast, Thalmann returns to the room. Brush your teeth, change clothes, stretch, warm up. He exchanges a few words with the mechanic and starts training. He’ll be back at 2:30 p.m. It continues in rhythm: lunch, massage, team meeting, dinner, turning off the lights – otherwise there isn’t much time left. ‘I usually read a little. But then I’m so tired that I quickly fall asleep.”

A victory in Milan-San Remo?

Tudor’s boss is Fabian Cancellara (42). He and his team have a clear goal: promotion to the WorldTour, the highest cycling category. This requires success – like that of Arvid de Kleijn (29, Ho) in the second stage of Paris-Nice.

On Saturday we continue with Milan-San Remo, the first major classic of the season. A Tudor victory would be a sensation, but the role of outsider suits them. Cancellara: “It’s not just about immediate success. We have a Devo team with young riders and we also want to offer talented Swiss riders an opportunity to grow.” Some talented people even have a house in Albir, which the team makes available to them: they cook, clean and train. They have to earn the hotel from the professionals first.

“I’m not the water type”

Back to Thalmann. During our visit to Albir he treated himself to something different: a bath in the hotel’s beautiful spa. “But only because you wanted a nice photo subject. “I’m not the water type,” he says, laughing.

When we say goodbye the next morning, Thalmann is ready for the next journey. Further, further and further. “I’m happy when it gets serious,” he says and cycles away.

Source : Blick