Christmas Interview with Jennifer HohlDecember 25, 2010
Christmas Interview with Jennifer Hohl
Swiss National Champion Jennifer Hohl!
Image Courtesy of Jennifer HohlPre-Text: Jennifer Hohl signed with team MCipollini-Giordana for 2011, and will be riding with some very high profile pros like Nicole Cooke, Marta Bastianelli, Tatiana Guderzo and Monica Baccaille to name a few. The team is led by Federico Zechetto and Walter Ricci. Jennifer's goals are of course to repeat the Nationals and she has high hopes for London in 2012.
I had decided to release this inteview as something fun to read at Christmas time, however we indeed did work on this and finished it up very near Christmas. I had originally hoped for a more detailed serious interview, but the language barrier got in the way, so when questions were more detailed and complex, I had to eliminate them or reduce them to much more basic level. Her English is not very good, and I don't speak Italian or Swiss-German, so there you have it! Jennifer is also a private kind of person, and she prefers to keep the answers simple for this Holiday interview.
However, that's ok, it is after all the holidays, so it's all in fun!
PCW: Today we are happy to be interviewing Jennifer Hohl, a well known and very familiar face in the women's pro road peloton. According to our records, Jennifer has been riding for almost ten years now since she was a junior, racking up some impressive wins. She is also known as one of the most beautiful women in the peloton and was part of the Cyclepassion 2009 Calendar. Nice to hear from you today, and you?
Jennifer: Thank you Bruce, it is nice to talk with you.
PCW: You were born in 1986, so you are 24, right in the prime of life! Can you tell us where you were born, and if you rode the bicycle as a child growing up? In Europe you have a lot of riders who ride from their youth!
Jennifer: I was born in Switzerland near the Lake Konstanz in Rorschach. When I was a child, I rode smaller bikes, but only for fun. Afterwards, at the age of 12 years I started with MTB Races. It was very cool!
PCW: We know basically when you started racing and that your brother was your inspiration, but at what point did you realize as a Junior that you might be able to become very good as a Pro Cyclist?
Jennifer: I never dreamed about a contract for a pro cyclist. When I was signed for Bigla in 2006, I was very happy about that. Bigla was the best team ever until now!
Bigla Team 2009!
Offical Photo from BiglaPCW: Looking at your palmares, I believe your first podium came in 2002 when you took 2nd place at the Rund um die Rigi in Gersau, riding for Rheintal - Schlossgarage. How did it feel the first time you stepped up on a podium?
Jennifer: It was nice to be on the Podium after my first Road Race. It was an amazing feeling and I wanted more!
PCW: That year you took 3rd in the National Classment. Not bad for your first junior year! So your first win came at the Grosser Preis der Stadt Schaffhausen in 2002. How did the first win feel? Was this a special moment for you? I know it's not like a World Cup or anything but your first victory no matter how small must of been exhilarating?
Jennifer: I was lucky about my first win in Switzerland, it was a very good feeling, I like victories!
Jennifer Hohl and Andrea Wolfer at Grand Premio Brissago 2006!
Image Courtesy of Davide RonconiPCW: You had a number of podium places in 2002, and in 2003, you almost won the nationals taking 2nd place at Ruggell Liechtenstein. Then in 2004 you stuck pay-dirt at Pfaffnau. Your first national title, and you took 2nd in the ITT, how grand was that!! ??
Jennifer: At the national championships it is always great, when you finished on the podium. For every year is a big Goal!
PCW: Again, I noted in these results that year, instead of Judith Baumann, it was Andrea Wolfer who seemed to be often enough just ahead on the podium. Andrea Wolfer is fairly well known, do you know her well and did you learn anything from her?
Jennifer: I know Andrea very well. We are good friends, but she is one year younger than me so I think she can learn more from me!
PCW: That year you won the points competition of the Rophees Challenges International Suisse Frauen Cup. Indeed at the end of your junior years you had won a number of races and placed well otherwise. When you moved up to the elite level in 2005, was that a bit of a shock? I didn't find many podium results for 2005, was 2005 you first year at the elite level, and how did that first year go at the World Class level?
Jennifer: 2005 was my first year in the category elite, it was hard because after the Juniors, the women go straight-away to Elite level. In 2005 I collected some points for the start of the 2006 Elite Professional category.
Swiss National Championships 2008!
Image Courtesy of Davide Ronconi
Swiss National Championships 2008!
Images Courtesy of Davide RonconiPCW: Your podium results started to pick up again in 2006, and the jump to light-speed with Bigla! You had podium results during 2006 and 2007, but was your first elite national title at Grafenstein your crowning moment?, or Nyon in 2009!! ?? I mean, it seems like the first elite title would be the best?
Jennifer: I like my 3 National titles. It was a great feeling in 2008 to win the elite title, however I was helping Nicole Brandli so no one was looking at me, and in the end I took my chances to win the title. Also 2009 was great once again to win the Jersey. Now I want to win the jersey again next year in 2011!
Swiss National Championships 2009!
Images Courtesy of Davide RonconiPCW: During the 2008 Olympic Road race, you crashed when the Korean rider lost control and went into the ditch. That ditch looked unacceptable for the Olympic Games and seemed like it should have been covered with hay bales or something. What can you tell us about that day?
Jennifer: It was horrible to crash on the Road Race in Peking. After the race, (and also 4 days later) I was very disappointed. I have hopes for a second chance in London 2012. It is my big Goal and I work every day for it!
Jennifer Hohl in the crash of the 2008 Olympic Road RacePCW: How did you feel about being picked for the Olympic selections in Peking?
Jennifer: I was in the high altitude training camp with Nicole Brandli when I heard about my selection for Peking. It was great to know it and I was so happy about it!
PCW: You have had a few crashes and injuries during your career like a broken shoulder. Was there any point you paused and said wait a minute, is this really worth it? I mean we know women are not paid well like the men to race at a highly professional level, but the risks are still there all the same!
Jennifer: I love cycling, and the crashes are the risk you take. So it is ok to take a break, after which you again have more motivation for the hard training all day. Now in the winter I do a lot of training on my MTB so I can learn more for my technique on the bike.
Horgner Rad-Kriterium 2008!
Image Courtesy of Davide RonconiPCW: Now that the Grande Boucle and Tour de l'Aude are gone, what stage races will be your primary goals for 2011? The Giro?
Jennifer: My goals for 2011 are the Nationals, Giro and any races that I can win with my new Team MCipollini - Giordana. We have a very strong team so we can win a lot of races. I am sure about that!
PCW: How you feel about working with Super Mario? He should bring a wealth of knowledge and skills to share with the team.
Jennifer: I know Mario Cipollini, but not personally. I am very curious about the collaboration with the team and the ex-Sprint Star to learn and even know personally. It's nice that he is sponsoring a women's team.
PCW: Do you enjoy suffering on the bike, or is it something you just deal with? Some people have a knack for that and use it as strength. As the saying goes, suffer like a dog! I remember Mike Engleman used to race with his tongue out the whole time at Nevada City in the 90's!
Jennifer: I have a tattoo on my left arm and it means Power. It gives me a lot of power for suffering on the bike!
PCW: How many miles/kilometers do you put in typically as training during the season?
Jennifer: In 2009 - 22000km, In 2010 - 19000km.
PCW: How long do you feel you will continue in pro cycling, until 2012? Careers for women seem to run in 4-year cycles around the Olympics. Will you retire after the Olympics in 2012?
Jennifer: I don't know if I ride again after 2012. My Goal for now is 2012 - LONDON. I will give all for this and after that, we will see!
PCW: How would you like to retire, or go out?
Jennifer: After a big race or results, I want to stop cycling but for now I am again cycling on a very strong new team. I am happy about that!
Horgner Rad-Kriterium 2008!
Image Courtesy of Davide RonconiPCW: Ok, let's move on and away somewhat from the palmares into the lighter side! Tell us about your calendar with Cyclepassion? How did that come about and did you feel this might improve your image with your sponsors, or was it just something you enjoyed doing for fun?
Jennifer: It was just for fun. I did the photos on the week before I was flying to Peking. It was a little bit stress!
PCW: How do you feel about tattoos on beautiful women? I saw the photo of your arm on your homepage. Tattoos are somewhat popular here in the states with the women's peloton.
Jennifer: I have 3 Tattoos, I like my tattoos and I like all tattoos! I want more but my boyfriend says not to make anymore, so I have to stop!
PCW: I always knew you were one of the more beautiful riders like Veronica Anderson, Modesta Vzesniauskaite, and a few others. However from my logs over the years, I also knew the women who were the most glamorous or just good looking in general received the most views and attention, and not just by a little either! Are you a big believer in the beauty and the bike thing? I know a lot of women like to take full advantage of this, and if they can win races, so much the better?
Jennifer: I am as nature. I don't like much makeup. For me, it's important to feel free and good with my body, but I like to color my nails.
PCW: I had read Nicole Brandli was your idol or hero of sorts? Mine too, I followed her exploits for many years and I have to say she was about the classiest rider I had even seen on the bike. She seems to have it all, Camera presents, class beyond measure, good sport, great climber and one of the smoothest riders I have ever seen. Riding with Nicole on Bigla must have been a dream come true?
Jennifer: Nicole Brandli was my big idol but unfortunately she stopped last year. Riding with her on the same team was great. I learned much from her and she is a very nice Person!
Jennifer and Nicole at Berner Rundfahrt and Mendrisio Switzerland!
Jennifer and Nicole at Peking Games!
Images Courtesy of Jennifer HohlPCW: Bigla was a Dream team for sure and a Swiss team. I thought once Bigla folded that Nicole would retire. I knew this would be a big blow for cycling, not just the loss of Nicole but also Bigla leaving. Add to that when you went to Equipe Nurnberger Versicherung, they also folded and you were one of the top riders who was also left without a team. How much did that delay your racing and results in 2010? A lot of riders were left out in the cold over that, as least for a while. Did it affect your morale?
Jennifer: Of course 2010 wasn't easy for me. First our sponsor from Norris Cycling went away after I was sick and then I changed to the Bizhub Cycling Team. After that, finally I won races. This was very important for me and my future.
PCW: Could you tell us a little about your experience racing in South Africa? I know you have said previously that one neat thing about bike racing is being able to take in the beautiful countryside like in Italy, Belgium or France. What was South Africa like for you personally?
Jennifer: South Africa was a very nice experience. I had a great team there (Team Bizhub - Konica Minolta). The Races are like here, 100-120km long, but the start was too early for me. All the time on at 5 a.m., so it wasn't too nice.
PCW: How do you feel about the accommodations in women's cycling? Hotels, food? What should improve more, the accommodations provided by the race organizations, or what the team provides? In the states, often riders stay in host housing and also eat meals provided by hosts. I have heard in the past riders have stayed in schools and eaten TV dinners and such. Have things improved?
Jennifer: I don't like to ride in France, the food is horrible and the hotels are bad. I like to ride in Italy or Belgium! It is a better feeling and I like it more. I love Italy!
Gracia Orlova 2009!
Image Courtesy of Michal FrantikPCW: How do feel about the doping problems in cycling today?
Jennifer: The Doping in women's cycling isn't like the men because we don't have much TV coverage and our money isn't big, we don't make much money.
PCW: How do you feel about women's cycling being taken lightly or seriously? Some Pro women riders say they just enjoy women's cycling for fun and don't take it too seriously like solid paid professionals. Some think if big money enters women's cycling like the men's side, that this would ruin the sport for women.
Jennifer: I think women's cycling has to be like the men's with the money. We also do the same training every day and we work hard at cycling, so I don't understand why we don't get more money for our work.
PCW: What is the future you feel for women's cycling? Do you feel women can reach the level of equity like Tennis and Ice Skating enjoys, and should women be leading the way in bringing about change in women's cycling?
Jennifer: If the Races are on Television I see a chance for women's cycling, also because you can find some more new Sponsors.
Jennifer Hohl - Bigla!
Image Courtesy of Jennifer HohlPCW: Let's enter into some simple fun questions and finish with the lightest side! So we know what type of rider you are, but who are you off the bike? Are you the same in real life, on and off the bike?
Jennifer: In my real life I am very busy with work. I work also in a office, so I have a lot to do every day.
PCW: Does the holidays give you a boost for the coming year? Do you party?
Jennifer: I don't like to party so much. I prefer to stay in my new home with my boyfriend and just relax and watch some TV.
PCW: Here come the quickies! Give us your favorites to wrap up!
Jennifer: ok...
PCW: Thank you for this interview Jennifer!
Jennifer: Thank you Bruce.
Visit Jennifer Hohl at...
http://www.jennifer-hohl.ch
Procyclingwomen.com
Interview By Bruce Johnston
