“I had to go down, but I wanted it that way”

class=”sc-3778e872-0 cKDKQr”>

He often flies under the radar of the public, but in 2023 he is more successful than any other Swiss professional cyclist: Mauro Schmid. The 23-year-old from Zurich’s Sünikon finished third twice, second four times, first once and took an overall victory in the Tour. “It’s been great so far, I’m very pleased. That takes the pressure off me for the rest of the season,” he says.

Critics will object: Schmid has not won any major races this year. Yes – at least in part. That he has what it takes to achieve more important victories, he proved two years ago when he won the Giro stage. And now the Ardennes classics follow, which should suit him well. “I want to show what’s inside me.”

Mammoet program with education and training

But who is this man who has made a name for himself in just over two years as a smart all-rounder with a strong sprint? At breakfast, Blick meets the professional of the powerful Quick-Step team in his apartment in the Zurich Unterland. “As a child it was clear to me that KV was not for me. And because my parents own a garage and I’ve always been interested in cars, I trained as a car mechanic.”

It is precisely this teaching that characterizes Schmid. Because: on the one hand he likes them, but compared to other bikes he hopes to have a major handicap. “I had normal working hours, stood eight hours a day and then started exercising. On Friday night the car went somewhere, often to Belgium, for the Sunday races. And on Monday morning at 7 a.m. the apprenticeship continued.”

“And I also earn money with it”

Especially abroad, many cycling talents could not imagine such a program – they train as pros as teenagers. Schmid, who was neither with the U17 nor the national youth team, knows that, he never complained about it. And he’s not doing it today either. “For three years I haven’t had a day off that I haven’t invested in cycling. But I liked doing it. I had to go down, but I wanted it that way. And who knows if it would have been good if I had more free time?” he asks rhetorically.

Schmid successfully completed the internship. A rapid rise followed, which increased enormously in a very short time. “Today I know how privileged I am. Because I know normal life and what a normal job feels like.” According to Schmid, he has turned his passion into his profession. “Cycling is a hobby for many Swiss people. I get great equipment, can travel everywhere, race and even make money earn with it. For me there is nothing more beautiful.” The fact is: the former car mechanic has also turned the right screws in his career.

Source : Blick