World time trial champion Fabian Cancellara has reflected on a superb 2010 season which brought him eight high-profile wins, saying that he is very satisfied with how things worked out. The Swiss rider was successful from the start to finish of the year, showing his power in stage races, Classics and time trials alike.
The Saxo Bank competitor got things going with an overall classification triumph in the Tour of Oman in February, then took the E3 Prijs in March, the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix in April, stage one of Tour de Suisse in June, the prologue and final time trial in the Tour de France in July, and the world championship time trial at the end of September.
The strong results earned him the award of International Flandrien 2010 at yesterday’s ceremony in Belgium. Although Cancellara was not present, he spoke to the audience via a pre-recorded video piece which was later screened on Sporza.
“It was an amazing year. I think when you reach the end of the season, then you can realise what you have done,” he said. “Because honestly, during the season, everything goes so quickly. After Roubaix, I was happy, excited, I was enthusiastic about what I have done, but time was running so fast that already you go to California. That is the life of a cyclist…you don’t have so much time.”
The hectic pace of racing and travelling may not have given much scope for reflection at the time, but he said that he cherishes the memories and can savour them afterwards. It is that quiet retrospection which allows him to take pride in what he has done.
“I always have this 2010 here inside me,” he said, smiling and tapping his chest. “I have 2009, 2008, every year is inside, all these different, nice, beautiful feelings - they will always be inside. Nobody can take that away from me.”
He said that one of the most cherished memories of this season was the moment when he won his latest world time trial title. It was special for two reasons; firstly, because he had a lot of uncertainty about his form beforehand, being beaten in the time trial in the Vuelta a España by Peter Velits (HTC Columbia) and Denis Menchov (Rabobank). And secondly, winning the rainbow jersey again saw him set the record of four championship wins.
“Four time world champion – I was like, ‘phew, I have done it’,” he said, smiling at the thought of his achievement. “If you win something, it is once…but making history is even more [even better] than winning something…it stays forever.”
Part of Cancellara’s satisfaction is in getting the best out of himself. Of digging deep, and pulling out impressive rides. The Flandrien awards are to commemorate the hard men of the sport and he fits the bill perfectly, as does the main winner Philippe Gilbert.
Cancellara talked about what is a simple, straightforward approach, while also putting in a jibe which made fun of a media frenzy earlier this year.
“For me, the bike is a tool, in a way, for my job. But it is in what I like to do, what I have a passion for, what is important equipment. It is only a frame and two wheels – that is it, but you can work so hard and so much with that to get ready for the race,” he said. He then added with a smile: “and, for sure, without an engine!”
The 29 year old is leaving Team Saxo bank and should shortly reveal where he will be racing in 2011. He has been linked to the new Luxembourg team of the Schleck brothers, but other teams such as the new Pegasus Racing setup and BMC Racing have also been tipped as being interested.