Stefan Küng and Stefan Bissegger can really kick off the World Championships in Zurich on Sunday with a top result in the time trial. They are flirting with a medal and want to benefit from the home advantage.
Their journey was short when the two Stefans from Thurgau arrived at the team hotel in Kloten for check-in on Friday afternoon. They both know the World Championship route like the back of their hands, having already completed a number of training kilometers in the region around Zurich.
Just over 5 km from the Swiss World Championship quarter, they will tackle their speedy ride "through the living room" on the open track in Oerlikon on Sunday. For Küng, the sports venue is "an iconic place".
Both he and Bissegger competed in numerous training sessions and races on the concrete oval in earlier years, laying the foundations for their careers. Today, they are among the world's best in time trials. They want to prove this on Sunday with a brilliant result.
This will be Küng's tenth World Championships as a professional. He sees the fact that he can compete in front of a home crowd for the first time as a "unique opportunity". He doesn't feel any additional pressure because of this. "The anticipation prevails," he says with a broad smile on his face. And how does he see his chances? "I know how difficult it is to win a medal at a World Championship." He finished third in Imola in 2020 and second two years ago in Wollongong. After finishing 12th last year in Glasgow, it would now be time for the podium again every two years. Küng: "Standing on the podium at a home World Championships would certainly be a nice feeling."
The fun is back
Küng's main rehearsal for the World Championships did not quite go to plan last week with silver in the European Championship time trial, but that is no reason for him to panic.
After a mixed summer with health problems, the two-time European champion has recently been able to recharge his batteries. His victory just under two weeks ago in the final time trial of the Vuelta - his first ever in a Grand Tour - showed him that the material fits and his form is right. "I feel good again, I'm back at my level. Racing like this is fun."
Looking back, it was a wise decision to rethink his season planning. At the Olympic Games in Paris, Küng - handicapped by stomach problems and the consequences of a Covid illness - performed below his expectations with 8th place in the time trial and 7th place in the road race.
Many in his position would have slowed down at this point with a view to the home World Championships, but the professional from Team Groupama-FDJ decided, contrary to his original intentions, to take part in the Vuelta, as he felt that the tour in Spain was the best way to restart his season.
Other conditions
The plan worked out. The question is whether the three weeks with the many tough mountain stages didn't cost him too much strength? Küng says no: "Physically, I'm where I want to be."
However, the conditions are different to when he won the Vuelta time trial in Madrid. There, the course was almost completely flat. In Zurich, it has a different character, is longer at 46 km and contains a climb and a counter-climb in the middle section, which suits lighter riders, but neither Küng nor Bissegger. "If you start overconfidently, you'll pay the price at the end," warns Küng against taking the race too fast.
Bissegger feels the long season
For Bissegger, it is clear that he has to make up time on the competition on the flat if he wants to be in contention for the medals. Unlike his namesake Küng, he does not radiate the same anticipation for the home event. "I'm a bit mentally tired after a long and intensive season with lots of highlights."
Preparation has not been ideal for the Olympic silver medallist from Paris. He is no longer suffering from the after-effects of his hand injury, which resulted from a crash at the Tour of Germany. But he is still plagued by a "cold". He therefore had no chance at the European Championships (12th place). "Hopefully it will be better on Sunday," he says confidently.
The defending champion is the first contender for the World Championship title going into the race. "Remco Evenepoel is the big favorite if he rides like he usually does," says Küng about the double Olympic champion from Paris. Behind him, the field of podium contenders is large. "You definitely have to have Ganna, Tarling, Roglic and McNulty on your radar," says Küng. They were all absent from the European Championships - and now want to strike like the two Swiss aces at the World Championships.
