Field Notes: Jasmin Achermann

_{Photos by Slate Olson from Tabor World Cup
Interview by Chris DiStefano}

It may seem like the cyclocross season is coming to a close for some. For those based in Europe and those Americans headed that way for the Christmas cross week, it has only just begun. Chris DiStefano checked in with Jasmin Achermann, the Swiss National Champion, Rapha-FOCUS rider and experimental baker who recently took third spot at the World Cup in Roubaix. That's the top finish for Team Rapha-FOCUS so far this year with Jeremy Power's 6th in the Czech Republic coming in hot on her heels.

Your Swiss National Championship jersey looks great. You have been national champion a number of times, correct?
Yes, six times. Five victories as an Elite and one as a Junior.

Do you have a nickname?
Some people call me Jasi, but no, I don't really have a nickname.

You have a full-time job in addition to racing professionally. Please tell us about your work.
I am a confectioner for a large baking firm in Switzerland. I work in the experimental bakery developing new products. Baking is a great passion of mine and, because the job has such diversity of work it also serves as a pleasant distraction from cycling.

Please describe a training day for us. What's that like?
Three times a week I get up at 5:15 AM. I eat breakfast and then go to work until 15:00. At 15:30 I am on my bicycle for a training ride until 17:30. Then it's back home to eat, organize, shop, do chores and recover. 

What is a rest day like for you?
Even though it may be a rest day for training I must still go to work at the bakery where I will work until 15:00. Sometimes I may go running or for an easy bike ride of one and half hours after work. I may also just relax around home enjoying coffee and spending time with my boyfriend.

What's your racing style? 
I like to lead fast from the start. I prefer demanding, technical courses with mud, especially in cold temperatures.

What is your opinion regarding disc brakes for cyclocross? What style brake will you use this season?
As a  year-round bicycle commuter I am used to poor braking in wet weather. (Laughs) I will not use disc brakes right now because of the weight penalty so I will continue with my current bicycle with cantilever brakes.

You have three teammates now, what is it like to be part of such a big team?
I am so proud to be part of this team and to celebrate so many shared successes already. I have known Sabrina since before the team as we have driven to many races in Switzerland and Germany together. 

We certainly benefit from shared training sessions on the course and the track analysis we discuss. Our great team spirit is an advantage, too, because we support each other with cheers, even when we are having a bad race. I am so happy to be on this team!!

Do you have a favorite race course or style of race course?
I like the courses in  Beromünster, Switzerland, Zolder, Belgium and Nommay, France. They are all usually muddy and cold, my favorite style.

Your teammates are big music fans. What are some of your favorite artists or styles of music?
I like rock and pop, Green Day and Bon Jovi are examples, but for rest and relaxation I like a quieter kind of music.

Quieter music for relaxation? Yeah, JPow does too…

UPDATE:We caught up with Jasmin right after her third place finish at the Roubaix World Cup, her best ever World Cup finish.

Velonews: Swiss hopes rest with two young girls.

Jasmin, hello and congratulations. Where are you right now?
Thank you and greetings from cold 20°F Switzerland! 

Tell us what you recall from the Roubaix World Cup this weekend. US cyclocrosser Molly Cameron tweeted "Not many people know what it means to ride "ride the descent at Roubaix". Those that do, understand.
Every year we all watch the great race of Paris-Roubaix, therefore I enjoyed to start on this famous track in Roubaix. Oh, the descent at Roubaix, i like it. I like technical courses! It was fast and difficult to ride. And at the podium ceremony there were so many people, it seemed not real for me…

Your third place result at the Roubaix World Cup is the best ever result for a Swiss woman. There's now a lot of buzz for you leading up to Louisville. How excited are you for the remainder of the season? Has you training plan changed now that you've had such impressive results?
I'm very excited for the remainder of season, but my targets do not change. I remain the same person as before. I enjoy it and look forward to the next race. I look forward to Louisville every day even more.

What's your favorite baked treat after a race?
Hmm… this is a difficult question for me… I prefer rice tarts and especially chocolate muffins. But that's not good for my body. HAHA!