"I reduced the number of training kilometers a bit to be fitter": Fresh Marc Hirschi to rediscover his punch in 2026
Cycling
Marc Hirschi was Tudor Pro Cycling's star signing ahead of 2025, joining the team as a top-5 finisher on the 2024 UCI ranking with 9 professional wins to his name. And even though the 27-year-old Swissman didn't disappoint as he took up the leader role in a Pro-team, just a single win in Hirschi's record was not the new team debut he had in mind.
"We've gotten closer [as a team], we've gotten the hang of things. I started with a win, following in the footsteps of the previous year, and it was nice, but I honestly hoped things would go differently. I can't be satisfied, but this gives me more energy for the new season," Hirschi told bici.PRO.
"That's why I say it's been a year of adjustment. I feel very comfortable with the team, I immediately found a great connection, and there have been many positive moments, like the entire Tour de France experience."
But to make "great friends along the way" would not be adequate way spend Hirschi's incredible talent. That's why results will be again in the forefront of his attention: "My career is about numbers, results, and victories, and I hope these will come in greater numbers in 2026."
Different training approach
Hirschi's most distinguished weapon is his acceleration and ability to overcome short climbs with the best riders in the world. However, last year, we have not witnessed much of that as the former Swiss champion often lacked that "something extra" to play his own card in the finale. This has been reflected in Hirschi's 2026 calendar as it includes notably fewer competitions compared to past years.
"Overall, there aren't any big things that will change, but the calendar will change a bit," the Swiss puncheur reveals. "Before the start of the season, I reduced the number of kilometers a bit to be fitter."
"The goal is to compete a little less to have more time to train, to focus more on explosiveness, which I believe is my defining characteristic, perhaps what I lacked last season. In short, less is more, as they say..."
Marc Hirschi (left) on the podium of Gran Piemonte 2025
The main focus of the spring will be on the Ardenne Classics where Hirschi hopes to add to his 2020 La Fleche Wallonne victory, although that won't be easy. And beyond that, Hirschi will finally get a taste of Giro d'Italia where he eyes a stage win in one of the many "transition" days.
"I want to win a stage of a Grand Tour again." The Swiss rider is therefore pleased with the route in Italy. "I've seen the course and it looks very nice, with a lot of potential for breakaways."
Hirschi still sees opportunities at the World Championships in Canada this fall. "I've been there before, I know the roads in Montreal well, I know the course suits me well, and I think it's a great opportunity," he says ambitiously.
UAE x Tudor
In any case the difference between "UAE Hirschi" and "Tudor Hirschi" has been significant. Besides lacking the level, is there perhaps a different mentality between those teams?
"It's clear that everyone asks me about UAE, about the fact that there are so many winning riders. I'm convinced that Tudor also has a lot of winning riders," he counters. "I think we're growing rapidly as a team now and have a good chance of winning, of finding a lot of space even in this cycling world of champions."
In hilly races, Hirschi will again combine his forces with former world champion Julian Alaphilippe in an attempt to bring Tudor glory: "With Alaphilippe, with whom I've built an excellent relationship, we can share the leadership and achieve great things. I like being a leader and having a lot of freedom, so it's nice to have the team's trust; it's given me a lot of motivation; I don't see it as pressure."
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Ondrej ZhasilCycling Journalist
Ondřej Zhasil is a cycling journalist at CyclingUpToDate and has been part of the team since 2023. He is based in Ostrava, the third-largest city in the Czech Republic, and covers professional cycling across the main UCI competitions, including the Tour de France, the Giro d’Italia, and La Vuelta a España. A key focus of his work is startlist analysis and pre-race coverage, where he examines team selections, rider line-ups, and tactical scenarios ahead of major events.
Alongside WorldTour coverage, Ondřej has developed specific expertise in junior cycling and in racing across East Asia, including competitions in China and Japan. He also maintains a broad working knowledge of other disciplines and levels, including cyclocross, while continuing to expand his understanding of mountain bike racing.
Ondřej holds a bachelor’s degree in Mathematics and Physics, which supports his analytical, data-driven approach to performance and race analysis. In his reporting, he regularly uses ProCyclingStats for results, statistics, and historical context. He places strong emphasis on careful sourcing, editorial accuracy, and updating articles promptly when new, verified information becomes available.
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