What drives a seasoned marathon racer to get off the beaten path? Silvio Wieltsching, the renowned competitor, did just this, by lining up for a race, which has been for him a ‘terra incognito’. After the friendly support of www.bikeandmore.it, the idea was born, to go out and do some unprecedented races.
“I didn’t think anything of it; I just meant to do something ‘outside the square’”..
By reading Silvio’s credentials, you can see that he prefers to race on well-maintained alpine climbs allowing a good rhythm and pacing. His track record makes a long list of famous races and events.
“My annual ‘must do races’ are mostly the TransAlp, Trans Germany, etc. I did all those notoriously well known stage races all as well.”
That’s right; he not only did Cape Epic and Alpentour, but did them very well in the process. Even though you are more or less at the mercy of your partner in those races, but having him on the team makes for a great partnership. His meek and unassuming character creates a great team-partnership, one who diligently pushes the pedal, without complaining about all those uncontrollable things you come across during a race.
“No, that’s useless, really” he says smiling. “Look, I took part in races where you can get downright mad. Mad about the organization, weather, circumstances, probably your partner, and on and on. But hey, do you have control over it?”
Easier said than done, though, at the end of the day this attitude pays off big time. Is there anything that makes him ‘shut down’ and surrender?
“Call it a hardheadedness, but I guess, if I decide to make it happen, then I just follow through. “ And that’s not for fear of quitting, and the consequences of it, that makes him carry on, rather it is his hard working manner.
“I just think, in those moments, when you are done, feeling down and you think… oh man, all that is against me… you have got to remind yourself what’s been the reason you signed up for this particular race, why do you do this unforgiving sport anyway?”
Silvio’s loyalty to his team and sponsor is more than obvious.
”I teamed up with Cube a long time ago. It is just, you know, this freedom I’m enjoying is very convenient. Plus, I’m blessed having a great support and materials that I can rely on”
Rally di Romagna opened a new chapter in his track record. And according to his original ambitions he expected himself to do well in the general classification.
“Truth is, there are no certain plans in my head, as far as the final placements go. Sure, I want to end up as high as possible. My philosophy is rather to do my homework, dig as deep as I can in the process, and hope for a nice outcome.”
In fact, the competition in Rally di Romagna 2012 was reasonably high, most of all, though; it’s been the nature of the race, which put Silvio in the red zone more often than in other competitions.
“Oh man, the character of the race, be it for the extremely rough conditions of the route, rife with never ending killing ups and downs, or the unknown distance parameters, that was really taxing.”
He concedes that clearly, the enduro-like structure of the course put him at a massive discomfort.
“It was extraordinary; I had to dismount a ton of times, and was on the verge of throwing in the towel. All I gained on uphill’s, went down the tube downhills. It was very frustrating” but having had a different bike at hand, had changed things a bit “Well, I really am blessed having a gorgeous bike [Cube HPC HT 26”], but frankly, that race made me convert. I most probably won’t wait for the next season, and hop on our awesome 29er just right after this.”
He soldiered on, even after his fellow training partner from Austria had to withdraw for a fatal mechanical.
“No, quitting is not an option” true to his mantra. “I also do believe that this builds your character somehow even more. That race opened my eyes in so many aspects, and helped me to embrace adversities coming up much more easily. “
His performance is all the more remarkable, that despite knowing there wasn’t almost any chance to grab the 1st place, as the distance was just way too big, he said:
“You never know. I will battle until the very last drop of my power.”
And he did so by riding on his own much of the day, without any information about the gaps and distances.
“There was no chitchatting, really” he beams “You just pretty much put your head down and hammer.”
On the penultimate stage, which wound up in a grueling uphill finish, he visibly over-stretched himself. I never saw him that spent and drained.
“That stage wore me out through and through. I was so exhausted, I thought I won’t be able go downhill and head back to the hotel.”
The same was true for the final stage, a 20km individual time trial. An all-out effort, which drew the final line.
“Alright, the Rally di Romagna is in the books and I’m as done as never before.”
The bottom line is a hard fought second place in the GC. And the great feeling to have given it all within his realm of possibilities.
“I don’t want to consider the “ifs” and “buts”, I know I have been really strong uphills, but I also have to admit, those downhills put me at a great handicap. All in all, however, I’m satisfied with my result, and most of all, happy having done this race, whatever the emotional and factual outcome might be”
It’s been a great pleasure having him in this race, to compete with him, and to learn so many qualities, both at the human and athletic level.
“Remember, it is important to follow through, whatever you aim at.” – concludes Silvio with a ghost of smile.
From the outside a personable and amicable fellow but inner a brave person and athlete. That is what makes him excellent.