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Giro impressions from 1st time participant Marcel Wyss

May 15, 2010 - Filed under: TestTeam

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Marcel Wyss is getting his first taste of a three-week grand tour during this month's Giro d'Italia.

The Swiss all-rounder, who turns 24 later this month, is one of the most promising riders to come out of Switzerland in a generation. Wyss has the natural physique of a climber but can also time trial well, tipping him toward a successful future in stage racing.
In his first full season as a pro last year with Cervélo, Wyss gained valuable experience as well as some promising results, including top-20 in the Tour de Romandie in his native Switzerland.

Cervélo talked with Wyss as he makes his grand tour debut. Here are excerpts from the interview:

Cervélo: What are you goals for this Giro d'Italia?

Marcel Wyss: I hope to be a good teammate for the next three weeks. The most important thing is to help Carlos. It's also important not to crash, because the first days in Holland were very nervous. I will listen to the riders with the experience, like Cuesta, Gustov, Carlos. We have a lot of riders with a lot of experience. So it's very important for me to finish my first grand tour.

Cervélo: What has been the longest race you've competed in before?

MW: The Tour of Portugal was almost two weeks, it was 12 stages and one rest day. I had a bad feeling the first day, it was going worse with each day, but then by the sixth and seventh stage, I started to feel better and I was getting stronger as the race went forward. So that gives me confidence that I can finish these three weeks.

Cervélo: You're naturally a climber, where do you see yourself playing a role during the Giro?

MW: It's difficult to say now, because in March and April, I wasn't in great shape. I was not able to do good work. Now I am in much better shape, but it's difficult to say where I will be. We have a strong climber like Tondo, who will be there in the big climbs. I will be there to bring some water bottles. It will depend on how the race unfolds.

Cervélo: Do you have any special memories of the Giro?

MW: Every grand tour is special. I've watched the Giro since I was young. The Giro is interesting for me because I am always in very good shape in May. I know most of the climbs when they go close to the Swiss border. The Gavia and the Mortirolo, for example, I know them very well. I am happy to be here. I am from Bern, but I always do training in St. Moritz.

Cervélo: Did you have a hero in cycling when you were starting in the sport?

MW: When I was young, I had some cycling heroes. Now I have my own goals. I admire a person like Carlos. People who are very successful, but still have a good personality, these are people that I can learn something from them. They are a good example. Carlos is a person like that.

Cervélo: What are you long-term goals in cycling?

MW: I don't know what I can do in a grand tour. I think I am better for Romandie or Tour de Suisse. For a Swiss rider, or for any rider, it's good to ride well in your own country and do a good result. For the next few years, I will focus on the smaller stage races, like Romandie or Tour de Suisse. But in the future, in five or 10 years, maybe I can aim for a grand tour. I am scheduled to race Tour de Suisse, but it depends