The excellent sprinter of the Mapei Espoirs squad, winner of several races all through the 2002 season, and moving to Belgium's Quickstep-Davitamon new team, was interviewed earlier in the week (interviews available by clicking on the links at the bottom of the page), and now here's a transcript of chat that involved him nd several fans yesterday.

(VC = Velo-Club Chatters, AC = Aurelién Clerc)

VC: Which skills of yours you'd like to improve in 2003 ?

AC: My climbing skills first, but I wish I could get better even in things I'm already quite good at, like sprinting

VC: Which are the best and worst memories so far in your racing career ?

AC: The worst one was my abandon at Tour of Romandy (Clerc's "home race" btw), the best my Tour de Picardie win.

VC: Which way do you usually train during the winter break ?

AC: I resumed training last monday. In this period I'm riding, but also running and skiing

VC: Are you going to race the Tour of Romandy next year ?

AC: I don't think so. And I guess Quick Step wouldn't take part in the contest either.

VC: Tell us about your main targets for 2003

AC: I don't know the plans yet, but I suppose they should be the early season races, as well as doing something good at the Tour de France. We'll talk of them during next week's training camp anyway.

VC: How many hours a week are you used to train ?

AC: Quantity changes according to the season. In the summer I usually train for about 35 hours a week, that means some 30,000 km. a year,

VC: Are you going to race cyclo-cross this year, or is it something Quick-Step doesn't let you do ?

AC: Actually I do not have the time ... the road season ends in late October at resumes in the second half of January

VC: Who is your favourite sportsman ?

AC: I love each sport, and actually I don't have any favourite sportsman

VC: If you weren't a rider ... ?

AC: I would be a Physical Education Teacher

VC: Who are the riders you admire the most ?

AC: Armstrong and Bettini

VC: Do you think you may represent the future of Swiss cycling, along with Fabien Cancellara ?

AC: I hope so, and I'll do my best

VC: What race are you particularly eager to win ?

AC: Paris-Roubaix

VC: Can you tell us anything about the environment at Quick-Step ?

AC: Well, so far I've spent just two days with my new teammates, but I'm looking forward to meet'em at the next training camp

VC: Have either N. Reyanuad or Piotr Wadecki signed with Quickstep for the next season ?

AC: Wadecki did.

VC: Do you think Tom Steels can find back the good condition he has showed in the past ?

AC: I hope so. He's a nice guy, and I'd like to know him better.

VC: Which rider do you get along with the best ?

AC: Laurent Dufaux

VC: Do you train with Daniel Atienza from time to time ?

AC: Yes, he lives four km. far from my girlfriend's town, and I must say that training with him in the climbs is difficult

VC: Do you know Jean Nuttli, and what do you think of his Hour Record attempt ?

AC: I do not know him well. But in my opinion he did the right thing. And he'll be trying again

VC: Are you going to the Tour de France next year ?

AC: I think so, but there's nothing sure yet. We'll have to talk about it.

VC: Which part do you play in Mapei (or Quick-Step) ?

AC: I'm a sprinter

VC: And who are the riders you usually train with when not racing ?

AC: Dufaux, Atienza, (and swiss cyclists) Bourquenoud, Fragniere, Charriere, Moos

VC: How did Mapei riders react to Squinzi's decision (to stop sponsoring the team) ?

AC: Everybody was disappointed, especially as it came after we got so many good results.

VC: Is there any Swiss rider able to win a GT in the near future ?

AC: Sven Montgomery, assuming he founds back his ancient form, and leaves the probs he had this year behind

VC: Do you think you can join Phonak ?

AC: Phonak is a very good team, and a Swiss one too. But I'm happy with my current team.

VC: When will you stop racing, according to your plans ?

AC: I wish I could race until I'm 35.

VC: Do you ride on track too ?

AC: Sure. When it's raining outside !

VC: What would you prefer to win, a big Classic or TdF stage ?

AC: It's a difficult choice, but I think that winning a World Cup Classic would be very nice

VC: What do you think of (Quick Step's Team Manager) Patrick Lefevere's skills ?

AC: I don't know him well yet, but I know he's a great sport director, and I'm happy to work with him.

VC: Do you think Armstrong can win the Tour de France for six times ?

AC: I think he has got many chances

VC: Which are yor hobbies ?

AC: Ski, Sailing, Deep-Sea diving

VC: Have you seen the new team jersey, or the brand new bike you'll be riding ?

AC: I've seen the jersey, colors are blue and grey, and I'll get my brand new bicycle within a week.

VC: Who's the current best sprinter ?

AC: Mario Cipollini

VC: Do you know the Col de l'Aiguillon??

AC: I don't.

VC: When did you start riding ?

AC: At the age of 14

VC: Which will be the place of your first outing in the coming season ?

AC: I'll make my debut at the Tour of Qatar

VC: Do you think young French riders can get to Jaja's level ?

AC: Well, France has definitely got several good riders, including Sylvain Chavanel

VC: What would you say to anybody starting his career as a rider ?

AC: It's not easy to answer such a question. I think he needs to work hard, and always try to improve himself.

VC: You are a sprinter, but which kind of races you'd prefer to win, Classics or Grand Tour Stage ?

AC: I'd like to win stages in multiple-day races, as well as the early season one-day contests.

VC: Who can give Armstrong a run for his money in 2003 ?

AC: Perhaps Botero ...

VC: Last question: Are you going on vacation soon ? And where ?

AC: I was just back from my vacation five days ago, after spending two weeks in the Dominican Republic

Many thanks to Nicolas Richelet, and don't forget to visit his french-speaking site at www.velo-club.net! You can also get access to Clerc's own website (in french) by clicking here