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Ralf Grabsch: My first goal is to start at the Tour!
15/06/2024
(15.06.2024) At 35 years old, MILRAM's Ralf Grabsch is one of the most experienced pros in the peloton. In an interview before the start of the Tour de Suisse, he spoke about his team's chances in Switzerland, his hopes for a third Tour start, the further season planning and what he hopes to do after he stops riding.
1.) Ralf, first of all: How is the investigation into your stolen bike going?
Nothing has happened, unfortunately. The police say it is not the only bike that has been stolen recently. But the thief won't get away with it! At least, not if he lives in this area. I have told everybody I know about it, so he doesn't have much of a chance. After all, this a racing bike which is not available in stores. Only we from Team MILRAM have this special racing machine in the MILRAM design!
2.) Back to sport: You are now riding the Tour de Suisse. How is the mood within the team during this difficult race in the Swiss mountains?
Super! We are all doing well and the mood fits. We have a mixed team here at the Tour de Suisse. Of course we will work for Erik Zabel in the sprint stages. He is always good for a stage win. That would be super! And the for the overall, we have a strong rider in Christian Knees. He won the Bayern Rundfahrt the end of May. Christian is very ambitious and he will surely try to do something in the Swiss mountains. We got a lot of extra motivation from the Bayern Rundfahrt, where we all worked hard. We all saw how much we can achieve with a strong team performance.
3.) The Tour de Suisse is one of the most important preparation races for the Tour de France, which begins in early July. Do you think you have a good chance to ride the „Gran Boucle“ for the third time?
Absolutely! The Tour de France is the biggest race for any pro. Every cyclist dreams of it. I will ride the Tour de Suisse to stablize my form and to improve it. Then I will be on the best way. If come out of Switzerland healthy, then I can hope for a start in the Tour.
4.) You have ridden a lot of imporant races this season already. From the difficult Spring Classic Paris-Roubaix and the Ronde van Vlaanderen, up to the Tour de Suisse. How does the rest of your season planning go from here?
Right now I am totally concentrated on the Tour de France. I definitely want to ride it again this year. That is absolute highlight, and after that I will see. I also want to start in the Deutschland Tour and the Hamburg ProTour race. I haven't thought further than that. A year in the life of a pro cyclist goes by so fast. All of a sudden it is October and the season is over. Then I will go on vacation with my wife Doreen. We will have earned it!
5.) One obligatory question to close with: With 35 years old, you are one of the most experienced riders in the peloton. How much longer will we see Ralf Grabsch in races?
Cycling has ruled my life every since I can remember. My contract with Team MILRAM runs through 2009. But that doesn't mean that I am thinking of my career end. As long as I can still perform and stay with the young riders, then I won't think of stopping. At any rate I want to stay involved with this great sport when I do stop riding. I would like to stay with Team MILRAM – whether as Directeur Sportif or young rider trainer – both of those would be dream jobs. I would really like to share my experiences with the young riders.
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