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Source: Keystone
Four Swiss started the 107th Tour de France three weeks ago in Nice. The quartet with new young star Marc Hirschi, as well as Stefan Küng, Michael Schär and Sébastien Reichenbach attracted positive attention.
Marc Hirschi was known to be very talented. The Bernese was not expected to become the center of international attention on his first three-week tour. Hirschi took the podium three times, on the 12th stage in Sarran, the 22-year-old crowned his outstanding achievements with his first victory in the professionals, and this in the most important cycling race in the world, and the first stage victory of the Tour for a Swiss in eight years. .
His good results and, above all, his active driving style earned Hirschi the “Super Combatif” award, the most combative driver on the tour. “That means a lot to me,” Hirschi told SRF Swiss television. As a reward, he was allowed to stand on the podium on the Champs-Élysées in Paris, as overall winner Tadej Pogacar.
At least officially, Hirschi was initially “to learn.” What have you learned now? “That a tour is not only physically but also mentally very tough,” says Hirschi. “It is important that you get into rhythm during the three weeks, that you are well organized, that you can find peace, disconnect and get enough sleep.”
Hirschi is the Swiss leader in the World Cup
In the general classification, Hirschi finished in 54th place, almost three hours behind Pogacar. It is not yet clear if the young star can and wants to compete in the general classification of big circuits one day. One day races seem to be more suitable for the Sunweb team at the moment.
Hirschi can prove his worth again at the World Cup next Sunday. He starts in Imola, Italy, as the leader of the Swiss team. If he recovers well from the Tour de France, he can be expected in the battle for the medals. Many experts already count it among the top favorites.
The other Swiss also drove an active Tour de France. In addition to Hirschi (three times), Michael Schär (after stage one) and Stefan Küng (stage 10), who dropped out after 16 stages with a view to the World Championship time trial, were once recognized as the most combative rider of the day. Meanwhile, Reichenbach, the fourth Swiss, qualified as the best of the quartet in 24th place overall (1:39:27 behind Pogacar).
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