The Glarner with the striking Schnauz (moustache) won over 100 races. He was worshiped and blackmailed – and still gets into the saddle after several heart operations even when he is 66 years old.

His trademark was the Schnauz, his strength the speed: Urs Freuler was a professional cyclist from 1980 to 1997, celebrated well over 100 victories. He was world champion on the track ten times, he also won stages on the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia and the Tour de Suisse. In 1982 and 1983 the Glarner was voted Swiss Athlete of the Year.

The now 66-year-old is married and has an adult son. He runs a cycling shop in Näfels GL, and also offers 3-G bike holidays in Mallorca: enjoyment, cozy, together.

Urs Freuler, after three or four decades apart, you can finally admit it: While the field on the Tour de Suisse tortured the Gotthard, they were chauffeured in the official tour car.

Stop these robber stories! A former opponent spread this myth, others retold it. I assure you that I never had any special treatment, except maybe that I once held onto the car for a few hundred meters. At the Giro d’Italia, on the other hand, I saw how suspended (laché) riders drove from the Stelvio Pass in the support vehicle down to the finish line because it was so cold. ( thinks ) I already have a nice tour de suisse anecdote ready.

We hear.

In 1991 I was hung up to the Chasseral with about 15 other drivers, later we drove along a lake through the Vallée de Joux. When we met a red light construction site at a village entrance, I realized that we had gone wrong. We had shortened without knowledge and overtook the whole field, suddenly a marshmallow came towards us and fiddled wildly. Tour director Sepp Vögeli then ordered us by radio that we should hide behind a butcher's shop. When everyone drove past us, we got back into the saddle. ( laughs ). Nobody noticed the whole thing at first.