Frischi receives Golden Pedal in Italy

First weekend of May, Nino Schurter and I went down to Italy to race. I love Italy! And that's not only because of the good wine and food. It's because of the people and their style. I feel very welcome every time I show up for a race. The Italians have a very profound knowledge about cycling and there is no one more enthusiastic about racing than the Italians. To be a pro cyclist in Italy is like being a king. At least that's how we get treaded there.

At the GP Montello in Montebelluna, Olympic champion Gunn-Rita Dahle and I received the trophy "Pedale d'Oro alla carriera", the Golden Pedal, which the MTB community gives away each year for people with outstanding career performances. What an honour!

The 73km marathon went almost perfectly. After 15km, Roel Paulissen, vice-world champion, Leonardo Paez and his Columbian countrymen Caro attacked and soon were 1 minute in front of De Bertolis, Deho, Van Houts and me. Brentjens, Kessiakoff, Fugelsang, Schurter (my Swisspower teammate) and Dietsch were still in the main group. First half of the race was tough because I did not know the course. The climbs were always short, but sometimes still longer than I was thinking. The second half of the race I started to feel strong and confident. With 15km to go, we reeled in the leaders to within 40 seconds. Then it was my turn. I closed the gap all by myself, with three companions on my wheel. On the very last descent and with 5km to go, just when we caught the lead group, I flatted! Again, right at the time when I was going well... I was not very happy about this situation, especially when I found out that Marzio Deho, who I pulled to the lead group, actually won the damn race…but that's racing! With if's and when's you don't win any races…

At least I finished the race in 9th, right behind Bart (Brentjens).

Two days later on May 1st, the cross country 1st category race in Nalles was up. A very tough course which could also be called a hill climb. We started out in a similar fashion to the course in Houffalize, on a 2km 14% paved road. Either I did not have my head together for this or my legs were still tired. Fact was, I did not go anywhere on this first climb. I was not even in top 50 on the first lap and realized pretty soon this is just going to be a tough training day. Nino was up there racing for the victory, until he flatted too! Canondale had an outstanding team showing with three guys on the podium: Paulissen-Kessiakoff-Leuchs.
I finished in 19th.

Yesterday I did a 170km road race in Switzerland (finished in the main pack). One more week of some specific training before we get into the important period with our nationals on May 20th; world cups in Offenburg, May 27th and Champery June 10th.
Stay tuned.

TF

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