Fantacycling is pleased to interview Simon Pellaud , a 28-year-old Swiss rider from Androni Giocattoli-Sidermec who has signed for the next two seasons with Trek Segafredo . An escape man, Simon was the winning weapon of many fantamanagers during the Giro d'Italia in which he was the leader of the special classification of the kilometers traveled on the attack. The Swiss, who speaks five languages and is very active on social networks where he stands out for his sympathy, lives many months of the year in South America with his Colombian girlfriend. In a moment of forced rest he talks to us about the current season, revealing to us that he competed in the European championship as an injured player, and about the new adventure in the team led by Luca Guercilena .

- Simon, welcome to Fantacycling. Do you know our game?

Of course, I didn't form a team but I received a lot of positive comments during the Giro for my breakaways that gave me a lot of points. I'm glad, also because they are practically free!

- You ran the European Championship but you had to retire, what happened?

I had been called up for Switzerland, I wanted to help our captain Marc Hirschi but an hour before leaving the result of the x-ray I underwent and I learned that I had four broken ribs due to a fall of ten days first in France where I also suffered a concussion and suffered severe knee pain. It was the first race I had run after the summer and it went bad immediately. But I decided to leave anyway to respect the shirt. But after the Bondone I had to stop, the pain was too strong.

- Was your 2021 still positive?

I started very well by winning a stage at the Vuelta al Tachira in Venezuela but then I was stopped for a couple of weeks due to Covid after the positivity found just before the Tour of Turkey. I recovered and the news that we could run the Giro d'Italia filled me with happiness.

- The pink race has now adopted you as the escape man.

Yes, I really like racing the Giro with the Italian fans who give me great support. Here, however, I lacked something to play for a stage victory even though I came close on a couple of occasions. But the team's goal was achieved.

- You did well in the following races too.

Thanks to the condition of the Giro, I finished the Swiss national championship in second place and the Lugano GP in fourth. Let's say that my mind was free to express myself better.

- Why did the signing with Trek come?

Of course, having a contract for next season made me happy and peaceful. Even if the last fall was not needed because I stopped training and now I have to rest.

- In this regard, is it true that Luca Guercilena wanted you? We know that the general manager of the Italian-American team is not well, have you heard from him recently?

He has given me a huge opportunity after years of hard work and dedication and being away from the World Tour for many years. I liked the team spirit of Trek and the fact that there are so many riders of all nationalities. The ideal environment for me who love multiculturalism. I heard Luca a few days ago, he is going through a complicated moment and I tried to send him a lot of energy. I am sure he will come back with us.

- Do you mind leaving the Androni?

I have been happy in these two years, I have always been able to have the right balance because there is no pressure. And I've always felt respected both as a cyclist and as a man.

- Let's talk about escapes, how are your attempts born and what characteristics must a good escape have?

There is always a plan. I look carefully at the courses and do the evaluations based on the condition of the legs. Finding the right balance is never easy, the important thing is to make regular changes and not be too many but not too few. In addition, we need riders who push well on the pedals.

- Who is the strongest rider currently and who wins the World Championship?

From what I've seen in the last few weeks I say Colbrelli, he has an exceptional leg. He and Van Aert are the favorites for the World Cup but beware of surprises. The Swiss team, for example, can count on at least two captains like Hirschi and Kung and then there is also Bissegger. I would have liked to have been there to help, we hope to be able to do it next year.

- How do you see your future?

We are having a hard time, now I don't think too far ahead. But traveling between Switzerland and Colombia allows me to keep the right balance and feel good about myself and my family.

Lorenzo Lucon - Fantacycling Team