There are pros and cons to every change and development in life. Cycling, Simon Geschke says, is a much cleaner sport today than when he turned pro in 2009. It’s a lot more developed, advanced, and professional too. But there is a downside: “For me, the feeling is that the sport got less fun and there’s less fun between the riders,” the retiring German, 38, tells Rouleur. “It’s no secret the sport has gotten faster and faster – material, bikes, training and rider mentalities have changed with more altitude camps – but there are also less parties, less alcohol, less fun.
Don’t mistake Geschke for being a beer-guzzling athlete – he’s just pointing out the realities of the landscape today. “Everything’s super serious: everyone’s under pressure for contracts; teams are under pressure with the UCI’s relegation system; sponsors need to be pleased. Of course, we enjoy racing at the Tour de France and the big Classics with all the attention and spectators, but fun is not the number one priority anymore. In my first years, we had endurance rides and did a little bit of intensity during the December training camps and then we would have some drinks every night. We wouldn’t get super drunk, but we’d stay up a while. We were bonding. Now in December we train super hard and maybe have a beer on one evening only. Everyone’s realised that if you want to stay on the high level, you can’t go out anymore. And, anyway, there’s no-one who will go out with you so you’re forced to stay in the room!”
During his 16 years as a professional that covered 20 Grand Tours – 12 of which were the Tour de France – Geschke built a name for himself as a reliable domestique for sprinters and climbers, as well as being a semi-regular presence in breakaways. He plans to stay in the sport now that he’s hung his racing wheels up, but not before the outgoing Cofidis rider allows himself time to reflect on his “successful career. I can be proud of a lot of results,” he smiles.
Success and regrets
Geschke turned pro with Skil-Shimano in 2009, the team he stayed with for the following decade, winning three races, steering Marcel Kittel to so many Tour de France victories, and aiding Tom Dumoulin in his quest to win the 2017 Giro d’Italia. “Everyone who starts cycling wants to win, but only 10% of riders, maybe less, are winning races regularly,” Geschke says. “I was not a rider who could sprint very well and I was not a…