The week of national championships – individual time trials
This week, all countries will be holding their national championships in individual time trials and road cycling. Team NetApp’s riders from 11 nations will also be competing in their respective countries.
Here is a schedule of when and where our riders will be competing in the national championships for individual time trials:
Wednesday, June 20
Switzerland: Marcel Wyss
The Swiss individual time trial championship will be held in Messen / Solothurn. The two-lap circuit is 25 km, slightly undulating and susceptible to wind.
Marcel Wyss placed second last year and is ambitious once again going into this year’s race: “The podium is definitely my goal. First place is a relatively safe bet, but about five to six other riders will be fighting it out for second place. Unfortunately, the route doesn’t suit me entirely because it’s long and flat. On top of that, the weather’s expected to be very hot. But I’ll give it my best shot in any case,” says Marcel Wyss.
Contrary to plans, Reto Hollenstein will not be competing in the individual time trials. Although he is training again after his crash at the Giro d’Italia, where he suffered a fractured collarbone, he is still awaiting his doctor’s go-ahead. The tendons and muscles that were badly bruised are not yet entirely healed. Nevertheless, Reto remains optimistic, and he is signed up for the road championship on Sunday, provided his physician approves his return to racing.
Thursday, June 21
Poland: Bartosz Huzarski
The course in Poland also covers 50 km. The profile is rather flat and particularly susceptible to wind. “The competition shouldn’t be underestimated. There will be a lot of good WorldTour riders competing, and everyone would like to be his country’s champion. Also, many riders still have ambitions for the Olympic team and so they are even more motivated. I feel good and will try to get the best possible result,” says Bartosz Huzarski.
Czech Republic: Jan Barta
All good things come in threes is how Jan Barta sees it. He won the silver medal in his country’s individual time trials in 2010 and 2011. Now he’s aiming for the top spot on the podium. Jan has already demonstrated his good form this year by winning the time trial at the Coppi e Bartali tour in Italy. The Czech championship course is 39 km, consisting of two 19.5-km laps. It is flat and has one small hill. That’s a profile that should suit Jan Barta well.
