Blonde hair, Viking cheeks and an endless chatter. Tobias Foss talk to everyone. It wanders around in the Service course his Jumbo Visma and always finds a way to strike up a conversationHe's friendly, cheerful, helpful, and above all, strong. He never fails to smile, even when he's trying on new shoes after a race.
Foss is the world time trial champion, but he's not just strong against the clock. For many he is already considered the heir of Roglic and vingegaardHis victory against the clock in Wollongong surprised everyone, not least himself.
It's all true
«True – says Foss – no, no… I wasn't expecting that win at all. In my heart, I was aiming for a top five finish. Winning had never been in my imagination, so it was really incredible. And sometimes I still have to realize it all.
«After this very important victory, my life has changed a bit. Now there are so many people who want a little more of me and it's just... nice. But other than that, my daily life hasn't changed much."
Tobias will have to make some progress, but in the meantime, in his technical space, in the mechanics' immense warehouse, the rainbow stripes appear on his time trial bikes. In particular, the eye is drawn to a fork profiled entirely in white with a rainbow.
Planet Chronos
At Jumbo-Visma, however, they aren't resting on their laurels. They're enjoying the positive momentum, the many important successes, but they're moving forward.
«I think that in the team – continues Foss – we found a good key to understanding the development of materials and preparations. So let's keep working this way. Certainly, on my part, Having this jersey on my back, I will spend more time on the time trial bike.
«I'm not sure yet, but they should make a wind tunnel dummy for me too. It will be interesting to see how they test the materials and see how my position on the bike can be improved."
Foss rightfully enters the ranks of the time trial giants. The time trial discipline is experiencing an era rich in great performers. kung, Bissegger, evenepoel, Ganna, Dennis, Van Aert...
They're all very strong. If I had to choose one quality from each of them? I'd say – he thinks about it for a moment – Bissegger's position. From what I see I think it's very fast. And then I think the power of Ganna… but also of Allied ProductsThey “throw out” a lot of power.
«I think I'm in the middle. I have a good mix of position and power. I have a good engine."
Norway and sport
If there's one thing this boy doesn't lack, it's enthusiasm. He's smiling from ear to ear. And he seems truly touched by his world championship success. Impressed, but also determined to follow it up. Tobias Foss absolutely doesn't want to be a flash in the pan.
The question is, does Norway continue to churn out talent? Foss won the Avenir in 2019. Last summer it was the turn of his compatriot Tobias Johannessen. And we must not forget the various Kristoff, Eiking, Boasson Hagen and before that Thor Hushovd World road and time trial champion among the U23s. As the saying goes, "In Norway, we take care of everything." And the few who are there are all good.
«It's true, it's like that, but I honestly can't explain it. What I can say is that in Norway, sport in general is important. A lot of people play sports and then I also think we have the mentality that: if you want to do it, you have to do it 100%».
Giro, what a passion
We were talking about Roglic and Vingegaard's legacy. Foss can do well in the Grand Tours. This athlete, remember, won the Tour de l'Avenir in 2019 and has already taken part in the Tour three times. Tour of Italy, finishing ninth in 2021.
So, is he ready to return to Italy? And to do so with certain ambitions in the standings, given that there are three individual time trials?
"It's possible I'll be at the Giro," Foss admits, "but it remains to be seen. We'll see in the next few days at the training camp in Spain. I don't know which major Giro I'll be at, and any of the three will be fine for me. I've been to Italy three times already and my love for the Giro is great. There's a great atmosphere, a great crowd, and so I'd really like to go back, especially with this year's route."
