TURIN – Mauro Schmid now has the red and blue jersey tattooed on his skin. If the 2024 title wasn't enough, the twenty-five-year-old from Bulach he has accomplished an achievement that, from 1993 to today, had only been achieved by Stefan Kung in 2020, that is, winning both road and time trials in the same yearEven a legend like Fabian Cancellara had missed the double, despite having won several times in different years in both endeavours (10 time trials, 2 on the road).
The second season at home Jayco-AlUla it was positive for Mauro, even if there is a great desire to leave his mark also outside the national borders for reciprocate the trust that general manager Brent Copeland and all the staff place their trust in himMeanwhile, at the end of the season, he climbed onto the mixed relay world championship podium for the third time, taking a bronze in Rwanda after the golds won in 2022 and 2023.
What did you want to do with doubling your national road title and doing the double with the time trial this year?
Well, I have to say that It's nice to be easily recognizable at the racesWinning the jersey once is already special, but to do it again the following year is something fantastic and I can't wait to wear it again, at least for the first part of 2026. The time trial was a bit of a surprise for me too, but I was well prepared and arrived that day in top form. Besides, being a national time trial champion carries a certain prestige in our country: just think of what Küng and Cancellara have done in the last 25 years. The standard is always high and it's nice to have this honor.
In this regard, as a Swiss champion, what can you tell us about your movement both individually and with the results of Tudor and Q36.5?
We've always had great talent, even in recent years, even though they've been spoken of well. It's obvious that after someone like Cancellara, it is not easy to take the batonFor a few years the level, especially on the road, has not been excellent and the victories of Swiss riders in road races have been fewer than expected.
Anyway, you enjoyed Nino Schurter…
Many kids of my generation, in fact, they have shifted more towards mountain biking and road has lost a bit of popularity. Now, however, interesting young people are emerging and, the fact of having two Swiss teams so structured among the pros gives him the possibility to mature without haste and with more tranquility. Especially for those kids who still go to school and manage to have a more normal life.
What was the atmosphere like at the World Cup in Rwanda?
Something is already moving. It still takes a little time, though. the current generation is already quite good, but in a few years we will see the resultsI am convinced that, thanks also to the long-term projects of the two Swiss teams, our entire movement will benefit.
Have you started thinking about next season?
The idea, at the moment, is to start with il Tower Down Under: a very important race for our team which is Australian, but it's for me too. It's a bit like the first day of school now, and you want to start strong right away. Then, I hope to have my say in the classics, thanks also to the experience I've gained this year. The schedule could be similar to that of 2024, apart from a few small changes in February and March. For the Grand Tours I see myself more at the Tour, even if I would like to come to the GiroThe only thing is that it's difficult to do well in the Ardennes and then be ready for three intense weeks in May.
Is there a race that excites you more than others?
Hard to say, but thinking about it I'd say that I would like to win a stage at the Tour de France.
Well, you did it this year with Ben O'Connor. How was that?
Very nice. Actually, My help was marginal, apart from a few kilometers at the beginning, because then he did everything by himself. It was very motivating, as is thinking about when I came close to winning the stage at Tour de Suisse (caught 1,6 km from the finish line of the sixth stage after the breakaway with compatriot Kung and Australian Sweeny, ed.) I'll definitely try again, but first I'll treat myself to a few days on the beaches of Bali to recharge my batteries.
