Interview with the German winner of the Tour of Flanders, Steffen Wesemann
TOUR: Steffen Wesemann, you have been a Swiss citizen since 2005, how did that come about?
Steffen Wesemann: It had been clear for a long time that I wanted to leave Germany. It could have been Australia, but then I met my wife Caroline - and she's Swiss. The GDR was my home, but so much changed after reunification that it was no longer home for me.
TOUR: And what have you been doing over the past few years?
Steffen Wesemann: I worked as a lorry driver for a few years, then got my bus driver's licence and drove on regular services in Aarau. But that was really hell. I stopped after ten months.
TOUR: Why is that?
Steffen Wesemann: Because I always saw the danger of something happening. And the later the evening, the more stress you have with the passengers. As a bus driver, you're always the idiot.
TOUR: And afterwards?
Steffen Wesemann: I've been employed as a caretaker at ISS for four years now. It's great. I have my company car, my own office and I can even take my dog with me. In my team, we are responsible for various banks. I'm a career changer and learn something new every day, which is cool.
Quitting cycling?
TOUR: Many former professionals have remained loyal to cycling. Why not you?
Steffen Wesemann: I am. I worked for Lightweight in Switzerland, but then they went bankrupt. I was active in rider management with Tony Rominger. But it became more and more of a shark tank, so I left. I had an offer to start as sporting director at BMC, but you're on the road all year round and away from your family. And then I tried to set up my own Pro Continental team. What do you mean: tried? Everything was organised, the riders were there. And then the whole thing fell through for financial reasons.
TOUR: Since then, have you turned your back on cycling?
Steffen Wesemann: Yes, I'm now extremely far away from cycling. When it suits me, I watch Paris-Roubaix or the Tour of Flanders on TV. But really only when it suits. I got my hunting licence years ago - and that means a lot to me, I'm totally into it. I'll be honest: I'm not sad that I no longer have anything to do with professional cycling. And when I watch the races today, it's rather emotionless.
TOUR: How come?
Steffen Wesemann: Oh, I don't know any of the young drivers any more. And most of them don't mean anything to me either. With a few exceptions. Mads Pedersen, for example, has stuck in my mind. Simply because he's a good guy, and I think he could win the Tour of Flanders in 2024.
TOUR: Do you still ride a racing bike yourself?
Steffen Wesemann: No, I don't have a racing bike any more. And I have to say, I don't miss it one bit. I only have an e-mountainbike, but that's just standing around.
Memories of the Tour of Flanders 2004
TOUR: And have you been back to the site of your greatest triumph since 2004?
Steffen Wesemann: Yes, I once rode the Everyman race. And they invited me once. But what do you mean: invited? They wanted to showcase the winners of yesteryear, but I was allowed to pay for the journey, hotel and everything else myself. No, thanks.
TOUR: What do you remember about the Tour of Flanders 2004?
Steffen Wesemann: I was extremely focussed and absolutely believed in my chances. The day before the race, I even took another look at the Muur van Geraardsbergen - even though I'd ridden it many times before. But then, after around 100 kilometres, I was already on the back foot and in my head the race was as good as lost. My team-mate at the time, Stephan Schreck, said: "Come on, Wese, get up, you can do it!" He then piloted me to the front, I was able to break away together with the two Belgians Leif Hoste and Dave Bruylandts at the Muur and in the end I was clearly the strongest in the sprint. That was the greatest thing in my career.
