ROBERT FÖRSTEMANN EXCITED TO RACE AT REVOLUTION SERIES ROUND 3
Published 02/01/13
German track sprinter Robert Förstemann became a celebrity on the internet and beyond during last summer's Olympics, when a photo of his extraordinary leg muscles was published on Twitter. We caught up with the 2010 team sprint world champion ahead of his appearance at Revolution Series Round 3 this Saturday night
What are your main aims for 2013?
My main aim is to establish myself at the very top of the world in the sprint discipline.
Rudy Project Racing Team have done very well at Revolution Series so far this season. Is track cycling growing in Germany?
Yes, track cycling is becoming more popular in Germany but it is no comparison with the euphoria in Britain. But we do the basics well, we have good teams and good riders.
Are there big differences between competing in Germany and in the UK: in Glasgow, London or Manchester?
In Britain the races are mostly sold out and there's a really good atmosphere, with a lot of enthusiastic fans in the velodrome. It's always a lot of fun for me to ride in Britain, and I'm really happy to begin my season in Manchester in 2013.
Of course in Germany we have the six day races. They have a good line-up of pop stars and other entertainment acts, so you could say the track is also 'burning' in Germany!
Britain has had success in track cycling - have German riders looked at British techniques? How much difference does the equipment make for speed on the track?
No, the Germans have their own programme and equipment that's been established over the years and is more sophisticated. I think it's important to have good equipment on the track, but it is no good if your head, and your training program, are not working right.
Are you already starting to plan for the 2016 Olympics in Rio?
Yes, Rio 2016 is my big aim. Everything else comes second.
Since the 2012 Olympics, everyone in the UK remembers your famous photo with Andre Greipel. Do you get asked about it a lot? Perhaps you're getting bored of it?
Haha, yes, it was a really funny picture. It was not planned and it made a big splash on the internet. It was published in the newspapers all over the world. The consequence was that I got hundreds of interview requests because of me and my legs!
It is really crazy - since that photo so many people stop me and want to take photos of my legs. But I am not bored by it. I think it's good that our sport - especially in Germany - becomes more popular through such big headlines.
See a full event preview and race programme for Revolution Series Round 3
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