Interview: Jasha Sütterlin from Freiburg has been driving for the Movistar team alongside Nairo Quintana and Alejandro Valverde for two years. His contract has now been extended for a further two years. Velomotion spoke exclusively to the 23-year-old.
Jasha, when you turned pro two years ago you said "Movistar was my first choice". What is your conclusion after two years in the WorldTour?
It was difficult for me in the first year, the races were driven very hard. I did better the second year. I was able to get into the top fifteen at times. At the World Championships in Richmond in September I was in really good form and we won bronze in the team time trial. Overall I'm satisfied. And I hope it continues like this. Movistar is probably one of the best teams in the world.
What has changed for you compared to the junior and U23 years?
It is a completely new training plan that no longer relies on the classic methods. I train much shorter units, but more intensively: explosive strength training, interval training on the mountain and so on. That was neglected in the U23s and I also missed it. Movistar provides three coaches and I chose Manuel Mateo simply because he is quite young and innovative.
How do you communicate with teammates and coaches?
I did two Spanish language courses and I also learn a little privately from time to time. That's enough for an understanding now. I still live in Freiburg, a move to Spain has not been requested.
How is the cohesion in the team, how is it dealing with stars like Alejandro Valverde and Nairo Quintana?
They are super nice, normal people. Until a few minutes before the start of the race, there's still nonsense in the bus, laughing, everyone's super easygoing. When I turned pro, I imagined it differently. I thought everything is stricter. Of course everyone works professionally and everyone sticks together, but there is also a lot of ease and fun involved.
What are your tasks in the team?
If Valverde is there and says he's feeling good, it's 100 percent driven for him. The whole team tactics are designed for it. The same applies to sprint stages, where the corresponding captain is driven. Then no one spares themselves. And I'm one of the helpers doing their job. If the top stars aren't there, you have your freedom at the start of the race. In stage races, a time trial usually takes care of the internal team sorting and tactics. Then the driver who is best placed will be driven.
How was the 2015 season for you?
I think I had 87 days of racing. Including the days of arrival and departure, I was definitely away from home for 100 days. I drove the classics again. Flanders and Roubaix are really fun. There are thousands of spectators, and when you then drive onto the pavés, it's an unbelievable feeling. In 2014 it was difficult because I was a bit overweight. It was better this year. I was 84th in Flanders, which is not a top result, but a success for me personally. In Roubaix I was able to keep up with the first group of 70-80 riders including all the favorites for a long time, but then unfortunately I crashed. That was a pity, I would have liked to see how long it would last.
In smaller stage races you have also achieved good results in the overall ranking.
Yes, at the Bayernrundfahrt for example [Sütterlin was tenth overall after five stages, editor's note. Red.]. Of course, Alex Dowsett was much better placed after the time trial, so we rode for him. But things also went well for me in France at the Tour du Poitou Charentes. Red.].
Not least because of this development, Movistar continues to build on you: you have just signed a new two-year contract. What are your personal goals?
I'll make it short: I would like to be a driver like Fabian Cancellara. Longer time trials suit me, I would like to develop further here. And the spring classics have done it to me. Even in shorter stage races that are not too difficult, it can work out in the future with good placements and victories.
What does everyday life look like for you at the moment?
Lots of individual training in close consultation with the trainer. I also occasionally write emails with team boss Eusebio Unzue and exchange ideas. If the weather permits, I will stay in Germany in the winter and train here.
Do you train a lot with the other professionals who live in Freiburg?
yes, all the time I drive a lot with Simon Geschke, Heinrich Haussler, Johannes Fröhlinger and also Patrick Gretsch. We coordinate daily via WhatsApp who drives what and make an appointment.
Why do so many professional cyclists live in Freiburg?
Freiburg is simply the best place in Germany (laughs). You have everything on your doorstep. You can be in the mountains in the Black Forest in twenty minutes, you can do time trial training in the Rhine valley, or simulate classics on the waves in Kaiserstuhl and Markgräfler Land. The weather is mostly good. I often train on the Schauinsland mountain intervals. A favorite route of mine is via St. Peter and St. Märgen into the Black Forest and back via Furtwangen. Five-six hours of mountain training is no problem. That's a great advantage of the precinct.
In a university town like Freiburg, other young people go out to party. You have to live a very disciplined life. Is that hard sometimes?
Oh, it's limited. Now during the winter break I've been to clubs a few times at night, but that doesn't excite me that much. The hangover afterwards does not have to be constant either (laughs). The 2016 season is slowly starting to tingle and I'm looking forward to racing.
What is your race plan for 2016?
In January 2016 the Tour Down Under will take place in Australia, followed by the team presentation in Spain. I'm riding the classics again and most likely with the Giro d'Italia for the first time a big tour. Three weeks is a damn long time. I think you have to think from day to day and work your way through it.
Speaking of three-week tours: everyone is talking about the duel between Chris Froome and Nairo Quintana. What will happen there in 2016?
Valverde and Nairo both ride the Tour again. I hope that Nairo will make another leap forward and Frommey will make life hell (laughs). In the mountains he was able to lose him again this year, but unfortunately a bit too late. He will prepare very focused and professionally. I hope that with Valverde's support it will work out with the yellow jersey.
Then, of course, the Spanish and Colombian fans go crazy. Is cycling really so much more important in Spain than in Germany?
In any case! When we take the bus to the start of a race in Spain, all hell breaks loose. There are people in the villages along the route, it's crazy. Compared to Germany, these are worlds. Okay, there were a lot of spectators at the Bayern Rundfahrt, that was very nice. But for example at the Cyclassics in Hamburg, there was a bit of something in the start and finish area. On the way on the way through towns, that wasn't so great. It's completely different in Italy and France, there are people everywhere who simply love cycling.
Can you also feel it on the road?
Definitive. A typical situation in Spain: We train as a team, a car comes from behind. No oncoming traffic far and wide, but a wild honking goes off. In Germany you would now think "What do you want, just drive by", but there it's cheering. The disc goes down, thumbs up, "Vamos Nairo, vamos Movistar". That's great and motivating.
In your opinion, where does cycling stand in relation to the doping problem?
In my opinion, cycling is one of the cleanest sports that currently exists. In the last five years things have changed dramatically for the better. All WorldTour and Continental teams are on the ADAMS system [World Anti-Doping Agency reporting system, ed. Red.]. You always have to say where you are. At any time someone can stand in front of the door to check. It is not possible to add any substances there. Of course, there are a few riders who take the risk. But that's just stupid. You're out and you'll never get back on your feet. It's just not worth the risk.
German cyclists are currently very successful. You're more familiar to insiders. Does it disturb you?
Of course it's a shame that people don't know you like that, but success simply makes people popular. That comes over the years when the victories are on paper. You can see that in Simon Geschke, who everyone knows after his tour stage victory. I'm happy for Kittel, Degenkolb, Greipel and Tony Martin and of course also for Simon. They are simply some of the best drivers in the world.
But new German talents are also growing.
Definitive. Emanuel Buchmann was simply the strongest in the German championship and he confirmed his form in the Tour de France. Alongside Dominik Nerz, he is certainly one of the best climbers in Germany. Rick Zabel turned pro the same year I did, at BMC. Now he has achieved his first professional victory at the Tour of Austria. When you see that, of course, it increases the incentive to win races yourself. But the roles are different. When Zabel wins in Austria, the whole team drives for him unconditionally. At Movistar, you might think a bit more traditionally, don't see the young drivers as directly aspiring to win and sacrifice yourself unconditionally. I have to get strong enough to win a race with less support. But that just comes with time.
Jasha, thank you very much for the interview and all the best for your further journey.
To person:
Jasha Sütterlin was born on November 4, 1992 in Freiburg im Breisgau. He started his cycling career at RSV Achkarren. Through the Rothaus and Thüringen Energie teams, he made the leap into the WorldTour in the Team Movistar. His greatest successes include several German championship titles in individual time trials (Juniors, U23) and a silver medal in the World Championships individual time trial for juniors, winning the 2010 Lower Saxony Tour and the Tour de Berlin 2011, two stage wins in the Giro delle Valle Aosta 2013 and a bronze medal in the team time trial of the 2015 World Cup with Movistar.
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