Cycling star Jonas Vingegaard can relax with Achim Schmiedel. The Brandenburg native is the physiotherapist of the two-time Tour winner. His job goes beyond sports massages.
Achim Schmiedel can’t keep his hands off Jonas Vingegaard. It’s because of his job. The Brandenburg native is the Danish cycling star’s physiotherapist and looked after him during both of his Tour victories in the past two years. “He is reserved, but when he has built up trust, he shows it. He has both feet on the ground. I have the most normal guy on the couch with me,” the 55-year-old told the German Press Agency.
He shared in Vingegaard’s serious fall in April. After the comeback, an “emotional hug” followed in the altitude training camp. “I can read Jonas very well,” said Schmiedel. “He is a very normal, reserved person. He always asks how I am.”
Sometimes during the massages they talk about Schmiedel’s hobbies – kitesurfing and tennis. Most recently they watched duels between the tennis elite at Wimbledon together. Or they both enjoy the silence after a day on the tour with lots of excitement: “After such a tough mountain stage he often says: ‘This is the best hour of my day.’ Then nobody wants anything from him. Most of the time he just lies there, at most his wife is there.”
Schmiedel’s job goes far beyond the actual job description. He also hands out food packages during the races, listens to and motivates the professional cyclists. “We also support them mentally. I can inspire and push people. I think I transmit a certain positive energy,” said Schmiedel.
Vingegaard appreciates Schmiedel’s work
Vingegaard himself appreciates Schmiedel’s work. The two-time Tour winner considers his physiotherapist to be a “great guy” with “good energy,” according to the team. When Germany played against Denmark in the round of 16 at the European Football Championship, the two made a deal. “He promised me: If Germany becomes European football champion, he will win the Tour.”
At the moment it looks as though neither will happen. Germany was eliminated in the quarter-finals against Spain, and Vingegaard is second overall, more than three minutes behind his currently stronger rival Tadej Pogacar. The Slovenian has a good chance of winning the Tour on Sunday in Nice.
Schmiedel has been part of the Dutch Visma team since 2020 and works there with six other physiotherapists on the Tour. A long time ago he also briefly looked after Jan Ullrich and even had an offer from English football. Vingegaard became aware of the physio through former professional cyclist Tony Martin. “I had the most intense time with Tony Martin,” said Schmiedel. He had accompanied the Cottbus native since the start of his career.
Source: Stern
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