The Swiss want to create a sensation

A few minutes after the start of the World Championship road race in Winterthur, the drivers will pass the 600-inhabitant village of Berg am Irchel on Sunday. A special moment for Johan Jacobs because a fan curve orchestrated by school friends and relatives awaits the professional cyclist in his home community. What could be even more memorable if he then chases ahead of the field.

Swiss national coach Michael Albasini says there is a high chance that Jacobs will be in the early breakaway group. That’s exactly what he nominated him for: “If there is an open exchange of blows at the beginning, I would like to send Johan on his way.”

The route is an impressive 273.9 kilometers, the last time the course at the Road Cycling World Championships was even longer was in 1988. The hilly, strenuous final lap between Zurich city center, Greifensee and the Gold Coast has to be completed seven times alone. It is extremely unlikely that a breakaway group that has already formed in Berg am Irchel will get through.

So is it hara-kiri to want to “send Jacobs on his way” so early? Not necessarily. Other teams would be forced to work in the field while the Swiss could take it easy. And Jacobs would later be able to switch to the helper role if a compatriot catches up with him.

 

The starting position is actually difficult: the big favorites on Sunday are Tadej Pogacar and Remco Evenepoel. Beating them has proven to be impossible in many races recently. And yet, in the conversation in the Kloten team hotel, the Swiss national coach is clearly looking forward to the home race: he seems remarkably optimistic.

This is not completely unjustified. The Swiss top trio, consisting of Marc Hirschi, Stefan Küng and Mauro Schmid, is also in form. Hirschi recently won five one-day races in a row, Küng triumphed in the time trial at the Vuelta, Schmid fought for two second places and a fourth place after hundreds of kilometers in breakaway groups.

 

In 1998, Oscar Camenzind won in a similar constellation

“Three Swiss at a similar level who can all make the difference,” says Albasini, “that was last the case in 1998.” At that time, Oscar Camenzind, Beat Zberg and Niki Aebersold competed for Switzerland. Camenzind became world champion, although hardly anyone expected him at the time, and Albasini says: “I hope that’s a good omen.”

The coach wants to tell Küng and Schmid that they shouldn’t wait until Pogacar or Evenepoel push the pace on one of the seven final laps. Trying to respond to the sharp attacks of the high-flyers would actually be hara-kiri for them. So the goal is to anticipate these. It would be ideal for Albasini if ​​the stars first had to join a group with Küng or Schmid after their expected attack. After a merger, the Swiss could definitely stick with it, said the coach.

Somewhere on the final lap, just outside Zurich, Küng’s Belgian fan club will set up its 4.2 meter high, iron-framed Styrofoam sculpture on Sunday, which has already been seen in other races. It seems entirely possible that the real Küng will race past his imitation while in the lead.

Zurich’s Mauro Schmid shouldn’t be lacking support on the side of the track either, especially since he was particularly optimistic in advance. The 24-year-old said back in June: “The World Cup route is extremely well tailored to me. If I arrive in good shape, it will be a good race for me.”

 

Marc Hirschi is finding his way back to his 2020 form

Early offensives from teammates Küng or Schmid could help the third team reach the final comparatively unmolested. Albasini’s instructions are that Hirschi should conserve energy as long as he can. Because he is best able to counter explosive increases in speed. “Marc has found his killer instinct again,” said the coach. He is acting just as confidently as he did in 2020, in his best season to date.

The drivers celebrate harmony in advance. “For us it doesn’t matter who gets the result,” says Küng. “Everyone has a chance.” It is important to create racing situations in which others have to react. In the finale, we will ask each other who else feels good – and then support them.

Despite all the optimism, Albasini admits: “It will be difficult to keep Pogacar under control.” Especially since the World Cup got off to a mixed start for the Swiss. On Sunday, Küng remained below his potential in the time trial, and on Wednesday Jacobs disappointed in the team competition. The unity propagated by Küng is the Swiss’ best asset.