At the end of the 2016 season, Frank Schleck, a great cyclist of recent years, said goodbye to the international cycling stage. However, without a big fuss but rather very still, that's how you got the feeling. Velomotion spoke to the Luxembourg ex-pro about his sporting past, his love for cycling and his current heart project: the Schleck GranFondo.
Hello Frank, Thank you for taking some time for us today and we can talk a bit. How are you as a “cycling retiree”? Tell me!
Frank Schleck: (laughs) Thanks, I'm fine! I wouldn't call myself a pensioner yet, I still drive every day to keep fit. But sometimes I forget that I'm not a professional anymore. Just a moment ago I was texting Laurent Didier before he left for training and I thought for a moment you have to go too. But of course on a day like today, when it's cold and wet, I'd rather go on the roller. In addition, I still have a lot to do, with my two daughters it never gets boring. In addition, I have only recently completed my B - trainer training and the organization for my GranFondo is also important.
That sounds like a lot of work. How did you come to be a trainer?
Frank Schleck: This is mainly due to the fact that I want to pass on my passion for cycling. As a coach, you can convey this directly to people and it is very important to me to give something back to cycling.
Let's take a step back. You ended your career at the end of the 2016 season. What was the main reason for you to say "Now it's over"?
Frank Schleck: There was no real reason, it's more of a process. But exactly, I made the decision in Rio at the Olympics to stop professional cycling. I was a professional for over 15 years, I've had a lot of ups and downs, but you and your family make a lot of sacrifices. At some point it will be time. It was just always important to me to stop at a high level, because that gives you the opportunity to decide for yourself when it's over and you're not forced to do so. That was a strange feeling at first when you know that's it now. But I'll stay connected to cycling.
While we're at your active time. What is the most common memory of the good days, the bad days, or maybe even a single experience?
Frank Schleck: As I said, I had a long career with ups and downs. I've had a lot of great successes, each of which is unique to me and I don't really want to compare them with each other. But if you're looking for a very special moment, it was sure to be on the podium of the tour as a pair of brothers. Cycling will have to wait a very long time for something like this to happen again. Of course there were bad days too, but you can't hold on to them, otherwise you won't get any further. For me, what really counts are the successes and the good days.
You spoke to your brother Andy. You never felt like you were rivals, although that's normal between brothers. Was there really no rivalry between you or did you always have to hide it?
Frank Schleck: When we were kids it was always a competition between us, no matter where. But that was never the case on the bike. We always knew that we could achieve more together and would have given anything for each other. That was our great strength, trust like that only exists between brothers.
Your new and current project is called Lick GranFondo. What can you imagine, what is planned?
Frank Schleck: As I said before, it's important to me to give something back to cycling. That's why I decided to organize a GranFondo race. Professional cycling is only a small part of all cycling, there is much more. Through my race I try to convey my passion to the masses, because there is something for everyone from ambitious racers to everyone or hobby drivers who just want to enjoy a nice ride through Luxembourg. Two routes are therefore planned: One with 162 km and 2.400 meters in altitude is quite a challenge and there are some steep climbs, there is also something for the eye and the landscape is beautiful. The second route is 89,5 km and 1400 hm really easy to do if you have done a few training rides beforehand. I think it's particularly great that the race is part of the UCI GranFondo World Series, so you can also qualify for the GranFondo World Championship with a good performance.
What can you imagine by GranFondo World Championship ?
Frank Schleck: I find the comparison with the Ironman very apt, as an ambitious racing driver you have the opportunity to qualify for a highlight of the season. However, if that is not the goal, you can see it as a challenge for yourself to cover the distance or achieve a certain time, as with the Ironman. That's the nice thing about being able to meet a wide range of athletes who share a passion for cycling and give them a great experience.
Will you also be at the start yourself?
Frank Schleck: Sure, I won't miss it, the routes are also on my old practice laps. Of course I won't be competing for victory, there are some who will be very fast. I just want to have fun and meet a lot of people, so I'm looking forward to it.
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