It was only six years ago that Kilian Frankiny (28) was considered one of the greatest Swiss cycling talents. And today? We meet the Valaisan in the center of Brig. He’s wearing a suit, has just eaten a salad and is using his break as a private customer advisor at Raiffeisenbank Belalp-Simplon to talk to us. “I don’t miss cycling. My life has slowed down, I can enjoy the little things again,” he says, enjoying his chocolate ice cream.
Frankiny openly admits that he would still like to be a professional cyclist, but is very happy with the new job. “I’ve had good years, met a lot of great people and wonderful places,” he says.
Badly injured on the sofa
But why didn’t the climber, who could pedal watts on the mountain like few others, actually no longer find a team? The reasons for this are diverse. His last team, Qhubeka NextHash, did not find a successor sponsor – also because Corona hit the economy badly.
At the same time, after a horrific fall last August, Frankiny lay on the sofa for weeks with a smashed pelvis, collarbone and three broken ribs instead of himself at races. After all, he didn’t have the palmarès (non-pro win) he needed to get on other teams’ shopping lists.
“I have never pretended”
For Frankiny there is another crucial point – for which he is responsible. “I was probably just too fond of professional cycling, I couldn’t extend my elbows,” said the Natischer.
In fact, he often looked out for his teammates first than looking at himself. Frankiny doesn’t have the selfishness that is sometimes needed in the peloton. “Is correct. But I don’t regret it. I’ve never pretended, I’ve always stayed true to myself. And I’m proud to have been there for five years. I’ve been to the Giro twice and the Vuelta three times – the only thing I miss is the Tour de France. But that’s not important.”
Raclette – no matter when
Today cycling is just a hobby for Frankiny. “I only drive when the weather is nice. But I play tennis and finally go skiing again – I wasn’t allowed to do that before. And I eat raclette whenever I feel like it,” he says with a smile. Then the new work calls again – Frankiny feels very comfortable with her too.