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Mathias Flückiger and Sina Frei want to really kick off their season at the Mountain Bike World Cup in Albstadt in southern Germany.
A fall and only 14th place – in addition to 6th place in the short race – is the modest summary of Mathias Flückiger after the race in Petropolis: The overall World Cup winner undisputedly imagined the season opener in the mountain bike world cup in Brazil differently.
The false start as an opportunity in the World Cup year
Back in Europe, the 33-year-old wants to take revenge for the botched start to the season in Albstadt (6.-8.5.). Although Flückiger was not satisfied with his performance when teammate Nino Schurter won, he also took positive things from the first races: “I’m not in top form yet – so there’s still room for improvement.”
The kilometers that Flückiger recently covered on the Tour de Romandie should also help him. “I’ve used this tour for the last three years as a preparation – it has proven itself,” says the Bernese. According to Flückiger, a victory in a World Cup race is also important for self-confidence with regard to the World Championships in Les Gets, France (24-28 August), which is what he is focusing on this season. So far it hasn’t done him justice for the next step – a World Championship gold medal. “I was actually ready for it in the last few years,” Flückiger says.
Free aims for premiere
As with Flückiger, the races in Brazil without top 10 places were anything but pleasant for Sina Frei. “I had a bad day and overheated halfway through the race,” said the Tokyo Olympic silver medalist. After that she struggled with her form and was disappointed. But the race in Brazil should also be a lesson for the coming races.
Because Frei, who had three podium finishes at three major events last year, is still waiting for her first podium in the World Cup. Although the world champion in the short track is not putting herself under any pressure, Frei also “always starts with the goal of winning the race in the World Cup.”
Frei is looking forward to the double event on the Swabian Alb and then in Nove Mesto in the Czech Republic (May 14-16). “My family and many relatives will be present in Albstadt,” says Frei. Although the 24-year-old also states that the European Championships and World Championships are clear goals for the season, why shouldn’t she succeed in Albstadt with the podium premiere?