The brothers Lukas and Martin Meiler had to train much longer this year due to the corona. Now you are as fit as never before. But in the first races they noticed that this also applies to the competition.
- Professional cyclists have five months of preparation instead of two.
- Lukas Meiler rides with the Vorarlberg-Santic team in the Tour de Savoie Mont Blanc.
- Martin Meiler finished sixth in a sprint race in Lower Austria.
- Oberammergau residents dream of the Tour de France
Oberammergau - The effects of the corona pandemic hit everyone, everyone differently. The brothers Lukas and Martin Meiler were of course not spared. The restrictions have very special consequences for the two professional cyclists from Oberammergau. You are in top form and fit like never before - but this also applies to the competition.
Two months between seasons to prepare, that's normal. Five months like now, that's extreme. Basically no problem for the Meiler brothers. The Vorarlberg Santic team is on healthy feet, and neither has had to deal with any salary cuts. "It's good for the head," emphasizes Martin. In addition, the Meilers were allowed out, they were allowed to ride their bikes and cannot complain about their training area on their doorstep. It was also important: you had to be German. “It was much more difficult for the French and Italians. Sometimes they weren't allowed to go out for six weeks, ”says Lukas. A locked up professional cyclist has only one choice: he has to train on the roller at home. “You can do that for seven to ten days. But over such a time you lose your shape. ”And probably also the pleasure of riding a bike.
The opposite is the case with the Meiler brothers. You were busy with a private coach during the Corona break. The driver-specific interval training each for himself, the basics together. Another advantage for the brothers, as they could ride together. Loneliness was not an issue for her on the bike.
Meilers at 100 percent, but so are many others
The extent of the training, an unprecedented one. Lukas first reaped the fruits at the Tour de Savoie Mont Blanc. The 25-year-old competed in the four-day tour in the French Alps for the fourth time this year. He posted personal bests on each of the five stages. But that wasn't a unique selling point. Lukas had guessed that, but was still surprised. “Everyone is at an extremely high level, everyone is at 100 percent.” The Oberammergauer was faster than ever, but this was not reflected in the placement. In the final ranking, he is in position 51. He had flirted with one or the other excursion in a breakaway group. But he did not have such an opportunity. Lukas had important work to do for the team and for Captain Alexis Guerin. And with success: the team finished third, Guerin second. “The team management was very satisfied with me.” The reward: Lukas is part of the team for the tour of Hungary, which is due at the end of August.
Brother Martin has good prospects of being part of the game in Hungary as well. For him, the situation this year is a little more complicated due to the pandemic. Martin likes it quiet for a long time in the race so that he can give full throttle in the end. But sprint races are unattractive for the organizers this year, it is more difficult to meet hygiene and safety requirements. There was now a chance at the seventh International Grand Prix Air Base in Lower Austria. And the 22-year-old used it with sixth place. "That's positive that you can ride up front."
Time trial is not his specialty, but this year in the Corona year 2020, every racing kilometer counts for Martin Meiler.
© Team Vorarlberg - Santic
On the other hand, the mood was negative because spectators were not allowed. “That was a bit boring,” says Martin. In general, however, the neighboring country is "almost alarmingly open" with regard to corona restrictions. It was different for Lukas in France, as the tour was an international event. Seven and three days before the first stage, Lukas had to do a corona test. Without a negative result he would have been refused entry. Spectators, on the other hand, were allowed to be present on the tracks, with the exception of the start / finish area. “The tour was well organized. The probability of getting infected is probably greater when shopping than when racing, ”emphasizes Lukas.
The next stop for the brothers will be the German Championship on August 23 at the Sachsenring. Lukas expects a place in the top 20, Martin, however, thought for a long time whether he should start at all. Why: Mass sprint unlikely. “But every kilometer of racing is important this year,” Martin explains his commitment. Therefore, he previously took part in a time trial race on the Salzburgring. Martin was doing very well for his circumstances, "but with very good you don't get very far" - 47th place.
The Tour de France remains the big goal
Both want to get ahead, both continue to pursue the dream that every professional cyclist dreams: the start in the Tour de France. “That is what drives us from childhood. And as long as I notice that the dream remains achievable, I will continue to pursue it, ”says Lukas. At the Tour de Savoie Mont Blanc, he saw himself confirmed on his way. Among other things, it was necessary to conquer the prestigious Col de la Madeleine. That was even faster than usual at the Tour de France. "You can tell that the world's best is no longer worlds away."
The Meilers keep making little progress year after year. They are still missing two big ones. The next one would be a place on a pro team, then one on a world team. The drivers of these teams are allowed to start the famous Tour of France.
The tour dream would only end if the brothers did not improve themselves over a longer period of time. But there is still progress, as you have now noticed again in the Corona crisis.