25. August 2020

Proffix Swiss Bike Cup Gstaad – Good and bad decisions

The Proffix Swiss Bike Cup Race in Gstaad went not as planned. I definitely did not expect a dnf (did not finish) for this one. So, where do I start with the story? I guess at the beginning.

After the stage race in France I came back home on Friday evening. I planned to do a downhill day on Sunday. I knew that I should rest from the stage race and I knew that I have been a bit tired due to racing 5 days in a row. My coach letting myself decide whether to do this downhill day or not. What I really appreciate. Athletes have to do their own decisions sometimes but they also have to live with the possible consequences. Looking back, I would better have stayed at home and recover myself from the stage race. Afterwards you are always smarter. Thus, I went to Lauterbrunnen to shred the “Grütsch” Trail. I tried to ride careful and defensive. Unfortunately, in the 3rd run I accidentally lost my handlebar with the left hand, crashed and touched down on a stone with my left hand. My hand got swollen and it hurt quite hard. I then rode with one hand down the road until the Valley Station. I cried but not because of the pain, I cried because I was so angry about myself. Couldn’t believe I crashed in such an easy section and this happens one week before the Swiss Bike Cup Race in Gstaad, a qualification race for European – and World Championship. The anger was huge. After a few days, the swelling got better. However, the hand still hurt and turned blue and purple in some areas. I went to my doctor for further examinations. After the X-ray and the MRI scan, no fracture was found, but 3 bones were slightly injured. My doctor recommended to not race on Saturday in Gstaad. But I definitely wanted to try it. So, I went on the bike the first time in this week to recognize the race course. More or less it went pretty well so I decided to take part of the race. But I couldn’t ride like I potentially would have been able to. I was extremely unsecure with my hand, it hurt and furthermore I had bad back pain too. So, I decided to quit the race in the 4th lap. Of course, the disappointment is/was huge. Now I have to look in a positive future and to focus on the next race in Langendorf (Argovia Cup). The one or other person will now ask: “Why are you willing to take such a risk after a hard stage race and before an important qualification race?” Well, of course, I thought about that too. I just needed this day. I love shredding trails, feeling the adrenaline and growing beyond myself. Just enjoying a day on the bike with friends and without checking numbers like heartrate or power output. To be honest I sometimes just don’t want to miss certain thing because it is worse for recovery or not optimal for my performance.  Sometimes I want to be able to consciously do or enjoy things that are good for my mind. I am hoping now that my body will be fully recovered until the next race in Langendorf. See ya!


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