The schnauz was particularly legendary for you. How did this trademark come about?

I had it at the age of 17, 18. I shaved it off once, but it looked so terrible that I couldn't dare to leave the house. The snout contributed to my recognition value. In the past there were even fewer cameras and fewer transmissions, thanks to the Schnauz everyone knew immediately: this is the Freuler.

The snout as an advertising tool?

In terms of marketing, my snout certainly helped me. At the Spengler fashion house there was even a « Urs Freuler line », in the Canary Islands I posed for it in windbreakers. I also advertised the Glarner Chämi salami and Mercedes. I was allowed to pick up a new car every year, mostly I took one in the same color because otherwise some in the neighborhood would have called and said: « Now the freelancer has a new Benz again. »

Did you have a lot of envious people?

If you have envious people, you have bread. You have achieved nothing without envious people. I still have three cars today, I stand by that. My career was worth it, I don't have to be ashamed of it.

You became world champion on the track ten times, won over 100 races – were you a good seller of yourself?

The six-day races in Zurich were worth it, in the old Hallenstadion the hired spectators stretched out a 50 or 100 Nötli at a late hour. ( laughs ) Seriously: I didn't have a manager, maybe more would have been possible. But already in 1983 I was able to build a house for my parents and brothers, but I still lived in the studio because I was hardly at home anyway. Four years later there was a block that I have been renting since then. I had to buy my first racing bike myself, I was 15 and the confirmation money and the wages as auxiliary workers went for it.

Years later you were famous and worshiped. To warm up the robber stories again: It is said that you were one of the most sought-after bachelors in Italy.