Wesemann aiming for Roubaix

By Brecht Decaluwé

2004 Ronde van Vlaanderen winner Seffen Wesemann might be getting on in years, in terms of being a professional cyclist, but the time doesn't seem to be taking its toll on the Swiss rider just yet. Although some gray hairs might be hiding underneath his helmet, the Cycle-Collstrop rider is gunning for the Spring Classics one las time before he retires after the Olympic Games.

The two-time podium finisher from Paris-Roubaix rode for the former German Telekom team from 1993 until 2006 before moving across to the Team Wiesenhof Felt in 2007. He had originally signed for the British Pedaltech-Cyclingnews-Jako team for this season, but he was released from the squad in order to pursue the Classics on the Professional Continental Cycle-Collstrop team, which evolved from the former Unibet.com team.

Wesemann's run-up to the Spring Classics wasn't perfect, as one of his preparation races, the Rund um Köln, was cancelled. "It was a bit strange because we didn't do Köln; it was snowing and we lost four days," he explained that the lack of racing days has impacted his form. "Now it's going better for Flanders, but I'm sure I'll be 100% in Roubaix." Wesemann doesn't want to choose one above the other, but one would think Wesemann's current abilities should come more to its right on the pavé in France. "There are 2 or 3 more percentages that I'm missing for Flanders but I'll do my best."