"The guys know how strong I am" - Jan Christen has become a marked man and no longer enjoys freedom with attacks

Jan Christen signed with UAE Team Emirates - XRG and this year he has evolved immensely, but that comes with its downsides as he is no longer underestimated and no longer enjoys the freedom attacking that he had earlier in the year that brought him a few important wins.

"It's relaxing to be signed until 2030 in one way, but I also want to win races; however, it does give me a lot of confidence that the team has in me and the future with the team," the Swiss rider said in conversation with Cyclingnews. "I don't know exactly how much shape is. I've raced a lot the last eight weeks, but with Jonny [Narváez], we have the big favourite here, and also Felix [Großschartner] and I are in good condition. In the end, it's about playing our cards right and making sure one of us wins," he said before stage 4, where the team was no match for Jayco AlUla's Paul Double.

The puncheur won the Trofeo Calvia and the Fóia summit finish at the Volta ao Algarve in the opening months of the season but from there onwards he did not manage to raise his arms again - even if he put in stellar performances at the Clasica San Sebastian where he was second and also at the Tour de Pologne. He has clear races where he believes he is the most capable of performing, and he may focus on them next year already.

"We will see, I'm liking a lot of the one-day races like Flèche, Amstel and San Sebastian. For sure, it would be nice to do my first Grand Tour and set even another level for the upcoming year, but my main focus will be for sure on the one-week stage races and one-day races. I think the competition [within the team] is good because you push each other, that's the key of our team".

"We always have so many guys on the start line who can win the race, and you need to do all you can in the preparation so that the team knows and sees you have the best level. I think like this, we push each other a lot and get stronger to be at the race in the best shape possible."

Part of the reason why he doesn't get the top results currently as he did earlier in the season is that he is now given very little freedom. "It's not easy, I like to race with the instinct and try something, not waiting too much for the final. But I've started to feel like the guys know how strong I am, so they don't let me go anymore. I also need to learn a bit more from the other guys and listen, and for sure I can make next year a lot of victories."

However health issues have also created obstacles for the Swiss rider, who hasn't found much consistency. "For me, I had a bit of bad luck, some crashes, but also broke my collarbone and had some sickness, but in the end I also won two races and was part of many victories with the team, so I'm already looking forward to the next year. I'm happy how I could improve also this year and looking forward to making another step in the winter and then be even more successful."