Seeking to build on a successful 2009 season, Danish rider Matti Breschel is dreaming of a win in Paris Roubaix in four month’s time.
The Saxo Bank competitor took several good victories this year, including stages in the Tour de Suisse, Volta a Catalunya, Tour de Luxembourg and Tour of Denmark, plus the national road race title. Sixth in the Tour of Flanders, seventh in the world championships, and tenth in Paris-Roubaix also proved that he can race well in single-day events. He’s now determined to move it up a level.
“I’ve had a positive year…I’ve got out of it the season that I hoped for,” he said in his blog on Sporten.dk. “Basically, I am proud of my achievements. I am confident that I can perform in the great Classics such as the Tour of Flanders and Paris-Roubaix, giving me something that I can build upon.
“Seventh place in the world championship and various stage wins in races also count, but the only thing I am thinking right now is how I can win Paris-Roubaix.”
His Saxo Bank team has had a good recent history in the race, with both Stuart O’Grady and Fabian Cancellara triumphing. Those riders are likely to target the race in 2010, yet he recognises some advantages.
“I know that a rider like Fabian Cancellara also has plans to win Paris-Roubaix again. But I do not think it will hamper my chances, because it is good to have more cards to play.”
Breschel’s 2009 performances also included second in the Vattenfall Cyclassics and third in the Tour of Ireland, and overall it is clear that this young rider is continuing to progress in the sport. Now 25, he’s reaching the age where most riders start to ramp up their results, and that too can give him confidence.
“In 2008 I made perhaps my big breakthrough with a medal at the world championships and a stage victory in the Vuelta,” he said. “But for me it’s the Classics that are the most important. I think that I have raised the level when it comes to racing large distances of more than 260 kilometres.
“Generally, I have been very stable over the years and it is something that can give you motivation ahead of a new season. Perhaps one can say that I have moved up the hierarchy in the team, if there is one.”