Interview : Johan Jacobs

Interview Johan Jacobs

 

Many people believed that Johan Jacobs would become one of the big stars in cyclocross but instead of that he started to hit the road. Nowadays he's the team mate of famous riders like Alejandro Valverde and Enric Mas. Let's have a nice talk today with the Swiss talent. Can he do in the classics what his countrymen Fabian Cancellara & Stefan Küng did? 

 

This year is your first year as a pro. Do you feel that it's a big change stepping up from U23?

Yes it‘s very diffrent, the level is high aswell is the pace. The big difference however is the way you race, when it‘s easy it‘s veeery easy. But when its hard, then it‘s really really hard.

You've finished 2nd in last years U23 edition of Paris-Roubaix. What are your long term ambitions in this race and what are your goals in other races?

Well last year was an indication that those are the races which suit me best. I will try to learn from the more experienced riders, and also help them where I can.

How do you maintain your condition during the corona crisis?

I live in Belgium. At the moment we are still allowed to ride outside, alone or with one friend. No grouprides , but I think many guys whoulf be happy now if they could ride outside. So for me my life is actually not much different then in othertimes. Train, rest, eat, sleep.

Fabian Cancellara from your homecountry is one of the best cyclists of this century. Did he inspire you?

Ofcourse Cancellara is a big rider and an inspiration.

Did you have other idols?

When I started cycling in the cycling club, I was really inspiref by the guys who were 4 or 5 years older than I. One of them was Fabian Lienhard, now he‘s pro at FDJ and we started our first Omloop together this year which was really cool!

You used to do cyclocross on a high level. Would you like to do some races again next Winter, just for fun?

I still like CX, and I would do it for fun but at the moment I have no plans.

What are your passions outside of cycling?

I really like cooking and baking, I can bake some good bread and cake :) Also like many cyclists I like coffee.

Do you believe in the strong effect of trainingcamps or you preffer to gain condition by more competition?

I like both, In my oppinion you can prepare a race perfectly with training. But I also like the feeling and the little extra you get (maybe it‘s just mental) of a race. I prefer a big trainingblock, a few preparation races and then the peak race.

Thank you for the interview, Johan!