Lotto Soudal rider Frederik Frison has had a challenging season filled with setbacks and injuries. After a crash at the Scheldeprijs, Frison faced a two-month-long recovery that hindered his chances to showcase his full potential during the spring Classics. Despite the difficulties, Frison remains determined to fight back and bounce back stronger.
Frison shared his disappointment about the past season, saying, “Unfortunately, it has become a season with a lot of downs, especially during the spring Classics. The start of the year went smoothly, but unfortunately, I couldn’t show my full potential during the Classics.” He also spoke about the pelvis fracture that ended his spring season and the challenges he faced in returning to form after such a serious injury. Frison expressed his desire to participate in the Tour de France, but acknowledged the difficulty of immediately competing at a high level after a major injury. He then had to withdraw from La Vuelta due to stomach flu.
Frison emphasized his resilience and determination to overcome obstacles, saying, “Every time, I had to fight back and find my level again.” He also talked about the disappointment he faced in the Paris-Tours race, where bad luck struck again as he punctured just 20 meters from the finish line of the final gravel section. Despite the setbacks, Frison remains hopeful and believes a good result in that race could have made up for his season of misfortune.
In regards to his mindset, Frison stated, “Unfortunately, I’ve already had my share of bad luck during my career, but mentally I can always deal with it. Of course, every crash is one too many, but it’s in my nature to always fight back.” He shared that setting small goals during his rehabilitation helped him regain his strength and motivation.
Reflecting on the highlights of the season, Frison mentioned Strade Bianche as a race where he surprised himself with a strong performance. He expressed interest in gravel racing, as Paris-Tours also includes several gravel sections.
As Frison finishes his sixth season with Lotto Soudal, he reflects on his growth and development within the team. He feels at home and describes Lotto Soudal as a group of friends. Frison expressed pride in his personal skill development and the progress he has made. He credits the team’s support and hard work for his success.
While embracing his role as a domestique, Frison also holds personal ambitions and hopes to achieve a top result in one of the spring Classics next year. He values his role as a helper for the team’s leaders but acknowledges his ability to stand his ground in the final if given the chance.
Overall, Frederik Frison remains resilient and motivated despite a challenging season. He is determined to overcome setbacks and achieve success in the future.
