Fabian Cancellara did not have an easy winter due to illness during the Christmas holidays and a brush with a car in early January.
Fabian Cancellara. Photo: Cyclingnews
But as the monumental Classics loom large on the horizon, with Milan-San Remo the first on Sunday, he is convinced he has the form to again be a contender.
Cancellara celebrated his 33rd birthday on the last day of Tirreno-Adriatico and Spartacus has officially become a veteran in the peloton after 14 years as a professional.
He failed to win the final time trial stage at Tirreno-Adriatico and rarely put his nose out front of the peloton, preferring to use the racing and some team work to carefully polish his fitness.
However his rivals should not be fooled. He has already raced for 24 days so far this season, doing the Dubai Tour, the Tour of Qatar and the Tour of Oman as one massive block of racing to make up for the winter training he missed.
“I started the season differently but I think it was good. When I look back I’m really happy about how things went and how things are going,” he explained when he sat down with journalists to talk about Milan-San Remo and the cobbled Classics.
“I’m ready to challenge now. My time just being in the peloton and helping is over. From Sunday, the next five races are the ones that count. They’re the ones on my list and the ones I want to do well in.
“There’s some doubts about my condition but I have to be good on one day, not three or four days together. I’ve progressed at Tirreno-Adriatico.” – Cyclingnews
