Giro d’Italia 2012 – Stage 17: Falzes/Pfalzen – Cortina d’Ampezzo 187km. Sylwester Szmyd interview

I wish I could get tomorrow’s Gazzetta, tomorrow – but it’ll be Saturday, at best. It was the first major shoot out, today, to Cortina d’Ampezzo. It’s over for Kreuziger and difficult for Tiralongo – a bad day for Astana. Uran continues to impress – perhaps he’ll get let off ‘train’ duties for Cav, tomorrow? We’ve got a Sylwester Szmyd for you too.

But maybe not – Peter Kennaugh has gone, he looked very tired to us, last week, and he’ll need replaced.

Rodriguez is looking more and more like a winner, but he needs a little more time in hand for Sunday’s chrono.

Pozzovivo has to show more spirit if he’s to gain the buffer he needs for the time trial.

Gadret has to pull off something special by Saturday night, if he’s to get back on the podium.

Scarponi had a bad day to Cortina d’Ampezzo but showed what ‘grinta’ is, riding through cramp to get back on terms in the finale – respect.

If Hesjedal can keep the gaps the same on Friday and Saturday then he can win.

Basso?

It was Liquigas which lit the blue touch paper and Basso showed again that he’s a champion, leading where others follow.

Cycling is a sport where ‘what ifs?’ abound – but there was a huge caveat, today in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

Coming in to the brutal final climb of the Passo Giau it was Liquigas which had done the damage, but they’d saved their big ace, Sylwester Szmyd for the final climb – he’d hidden in the group awaiting his cue.

But disaster struck, the Polish strong man had a mechanical – we’re not sure what – and Basso was on his own.

It’s certain that the cards would have dropped differently if Basso’s right hand man – and close friend – had been in that group.

But Basso still looks good and no doubt the men in green will be plotting and scheming for Friday – and Saturday’s monstrous Stelvio stage.

Whatever they decided, it’s sure to end up in a lot of pain for their rivals.

I interviewed Sylwester Szmyd two years ago, it’s obviously out of date, but gives an insight into the man:

Your 10th pro season; does it get easier or harder as each year goes by?

“I think it gets much easier; I feel more experienced and stronger mentally and physically year by year.”

Did you grow up with stories of the great Polish stars of the 70’s and 80’s – Szurkowski & Szozda?

“No, no, I’m too young, I could rather say: Jaskula or (earlier) Halupczok.”

Ten years, all with Italian teams – why?

“Because I think that Italian teams have a good attitude to cycling – a kind of cycling mentality – and I haven’t had any more interesting offers from other teams up until now.”

How much break did you have in the winter and what do you do during it?

“I didn’t do any physical exercises connected with cycling for more than one month and during that period I enjoyed time with my family and friends.

“I spent two weeks in Poland and a few days in Tuscany, travelling between Siena, San Gimignano and Elba.”

Are you a ‘kilometres’ or ‘scientific’ trainer?

“I never look at kilometres; I go training keeping in mind the particular work I have to do and the number of hours I want to spend on the bike.”

How many training camps do Liquigas have?

“Many – five, six or even more.”

What’s your 2010 programme?

“I begin at Vuelta Catalunya, then Trentino, Romandie, Giro d’Italia, Dauphine Libere, Tour de France and Tour de Pologne.”

Where are you based during the season? How often do you go back to Poland?

“Usually in Italy, in Montignoso in Tuscany near Liguria. Every time I have some free weeks; at least 4-5 times in a year, I go back to Poland.”

You won on the Ventoux, last year – tell us about that, please?

“It was amazing; it was always my dream to win there.

“Some months before when my friend asked me when he should come to see me winning, I responded simply; ‘Mont Ventoux.'”

You’ve ridden the Giro, Tour and Vuelta, which one is your favourite and why?

“The Tour is the Tour – the biggest race in the world and you feel it when you are there.

“But I think the Giro is the most beautiful – the stages, mountains, landscapes, people…everything.”

The Tour of Poland – that must be a cool race for you?

“I would like to win it one day, it’s obvious…”

Your favourite race?

“Dauphine Libere and Tour de Romandie.”

Anything new with the Cannondales for 2010?

“We have already been testing it last year so in 2010 the bike should almost be the same.”

Are you an equipment fanatic, or do you just leave it to the mechanics?

“I trust the mechanics; they are the best at their work.”

Ten years in the sport – the biggest changes for the good, you’ve seen?

“The fight against doping with the ADAMS system (Anti Doping And Management System) but almost only in cycling – it should refer to all kinds of professional sport.”

And changes for the bad in the last ten years?

“As above, the fight with doping, blood control, out of competition controls should be extended to other sports.”

Can Ivan Basso win the Giro?

“He has already won the Giro so I know he can still repeat it.”

What do you do when you’re not cycling?

“I’m working towards my pilot’s license, so when I’m not sitting on a bike I try to spend as much time as possible in the air, preparing to be a pilot.

“I also like riding my moto and listening to Depeche Mode music whose vinyls and cds I collect.”

Your goals for 2010?

“To do my best in the mountains for my leaders at the Giro and the Tour and personally, achieve some more victories in minor races.”

Tyskie (Polish beer) or Vodka?

“Brunello (rich and spicy red wine from Tuscany) or Amarone (rich and full-bodied red wine from the Northeast of Italy).”

# Tyskie! Sorry, Sylwester!

Sprinter’s stage tomorrow – and just think, it could be worse, you could be having your dinner at the Astana table. Not fun in Cortina d’Ampezzo.

More tomorrow.

Result - Giro d'Italia 2012 - Stage 17: Falzes/Pfalzen - Cortina d'Ampezzo 187km