Interview with Phil Bauhaus at the Tour de France
TOUR: Phil, how much were you looking forward to the second rest day after these two tough stages, and how have things gone for you so far?
Phil Bauhaus: Naturally, I was really looking forward to the rest day. The past few days had been very tough. This is now my fourth Tour, and every year the standard at the Tour de France is extremely high; every rider is in peak condition. For me, as a sprinter who isn’t one of the strongest on the climbs, that means suffering every day.
That’s why I’m really glad we’ve got a rest day, and also that there’s a time trial straight after. Although it’s an uphill stage and won’t be an easy day physically either, a time trial is always a bit more relaxed and less stressful. You ride alone and can better control the effort yourself.
Basically, as a sprinter, I’m here to achieve good results each day. So far, I’ve only managed that to a limited extent. I’ve had four chances and finished sixth once. On the fifth sprint stage, I led out my team-mate and so wasn’t in a position to achieve a result myself.
Of course, I’d hoped to finish in the top ten at least once more – ideally even a third time. But the Tour is just incredibly tough. Physically, I was definitely strong enough to finish in the top ten more often. This year, however, it was mainly down to my positioning. Still, I can live with that. I gave it my all, so I’ve got nothing to blame myself for.
TOUR: What have you been up to today? After all, a rest day usually means you still go for a short ride.
Phil Bauhaus: Exactly. It’s much more relaxed than on race day. We didn’t have a fixed schedule today. I got up at around 8.30 am and then, as I do every day, went straight to the medical room. Our team doctor and the osteopath are based there. This morning, the nutritionist was also there and carried out body fat measurements on all the riders.
Every morning, the doctor checks your urine test results, amongst other things, to see whether you’ve been drinking enough and whether everything is in order health-wise. You can speak to the osteopath directly if, for example, you wake up with back problems.
After that we had breakfast, and at 11 o’clock we set off on our bikes. We cycled at a very leisurely pace for about an hour and a half. Afterwards, we popped into a café, had a coffee and sat together for a while. Next up is the massage, but after that things will be a bit quieter. On a rest day, you simply have a bit more time to yourself.
TOUR: The tour is absolutely unique. What sound or smell do you associate with the tour? It’s not your first time on it, after all.
Phil Bauhaus: When I hear the sounds, I immediately think of the bikes. You’re constantly surrounded by between 150 and 170 riders. The sound of the freewheels – or, more generally, the typical sounds of road bikes – is, for me, part and parcel of the Tour. Wait a second – when I think about it further, the screeching tyres of the support vehicles also spring to mind. If you fall back a bit and the cars speed past you and go round the bends, you really do realise that they’re sometimes driving right at the limit there too.
TOUR: With Lenny Martinez, you have a rider in eighth place in the general classification. Presumably, the priority in the final week will be to look after Lenny. What is the team’s strategy in this regard?
Phil Bauhaus: Exactly. It’s become quite clear that Lenny is our best hope on this tour. Apart from my sixth place – where, with a bit of luck, I might even have achieved more – we haven’t managed any other results that point in that direction.
That’s why our focus is now 100 per cent on Lenny. The aim is to defend his eighth place. Perhaps he might even be able to move up a position or two. But first and foremost, we want to secure that position. All the riders are making sure he’s doing well and that he has everything he needs. In the end, though, he’ll still have to climb the mountain on his own.
TOUR: Speaking of mountains: the two climbs to Alpe d’Huez and, above all, Stage 20 are considered extremely tough. How do you feel about them and how are you preparing for them?
Phil Bauhaus: I made the mistake this morning of taking another closer look at Stage 20 (laughs). Perhaps I should have left it at that. As you say, the stage is extremely tough. For me, the final stages are all right at the limit anyway. Of course, I can only speak from the perspective of a sprinter – in other words, a rider who doesn’t have the highest watts-per-kilo figures. For me, it’s simply a nightmare.
We’ve come this far now, and even though there won’t be a sprint on the Champs-Élysées this year, I’d really love to experience that feeling of finishing in Paris once more. So I’d be absolutely delighted if that were to happen.
The stages are so gruelling that you feel both very close to the finish line and yet still a long way off it. Stage 20 in particular will be a real struggle for me from the very first kilometre right through to the last. My sole aim is simply to finish within the time limit. I have no other ambitions. But even that will be extremely difficult.
TOUR: What are your plans after the tour? Probably a bit of a rest to start with. Will we see you again afterwards at the usual post-tour events?
Phil Bauhaus: Sure, I’d love to ride the Schmitter Nacht in the week after the Tour. I’ve actually competed in it every year. There was just one year when the team didn’t allow us to take part in races like that. Also, the Tour de Neuss takes place on a Wednesday. I’m assuming I’ll be competing in that as well. Then on Saturday we’ve got another race coming up here in Bocholt. Those are the three races currently on my schedule straight after the Tour.
This is expected to be followed once again by team events, in particular the German races such as Hamburg and the Deutschland Tour.
TOUR: Thank you. I wish you every success for the remaining days and, of course, a safe journey to Paris.
Phil Bauhaus: Thank you very much, and I hope you have a safe journey to Paris too.
Leon Weidner
Editor