Hello Jessica,
you are now driving your second season in the women's elite class and you were able to convince right away. In almost all races where you were at the start, you were able to compete for victory.
You confirm your performance from last year, are you satisfied with the season so far?
For the level of training I'm riding at the moment, it's going very well. I'm happy with the season so far. Also because my performance has improved compared to last season. As it should be.
Nationally you are probably the strongest driver at the moment, but you still haven't driven that many international races, why is that?
At the end of the summer I moved to Berlin into my own apartment, together with Silvio Herklotz, and am currently doing an apprenticeship. You have a lot to do with a job and your own household, so you have less time to train during the week. That's why I'm currently using the weekends in particular to train.
In addition, it would be too much travel stress for me to go to Holland or Belgium on so many weekends, it would not be good for my performance and development in the long term.
What other goals do you have for the rest of the cyclocross season?
The main focus is on the German championships, which I would like to finish in the top 3.
I'm also hoping for a good result at the World Championships in the Czech Republic, top 20 in the women's class would be a great result for me!
And I would like to win the Germany Cup, even if I didn't drive as many races in the series.
Your goal is the top 3 at the German Championships in Born in January. Who do you see as your strongest opponents there?
At the moment my colleague from the Stevens Racing Team, Lisa Heckmann, is probably my strongest competitor. I don't think Hanka will start due to an injury. Elisabeth Brandau and Trixi Worrak, who have also been among the top German cross-country skiers in recent years, have not yet competed in any races this season. So I think Lisa and I will work it out between us unless someone else unexpectedly turns up.
How will things continue for you in the future, you also achieved strong results on the road last year. Is there a view there?
Next road season I will ride for the Maxx Solar Cycling Team. Above all, I'll concentrate on the Bundesliga and, if time allows, I'll also do one or two international tours. In the long term I want to try to be one of the top German drivers on the road.
How much time do you invest in your sport every day? Do you still have time for other things?
Any time that I don't spend at work, I invest in sports. When it's time to regenerate, the housework is done and I'm free, I like to spend this time relaxing with Silvio in the café or in the sauna.
What are your plans for the future (education/professional sport)?
The training I recently started lasts two years, and I train as best I can on the side. I can't judge what's next. It depends on how I have developed in terms of performance up to that point and whether there is a chance for me to get into professional sport. However, it is very difficult in women's cycling to make a living from it. I would probably do a small job on the side.
German cycling is booming at the moment, women are also really strong on the road, is professional sport a goal for you?
It's definitely a goal.
If you had to choose between road and cyclocross, which would you prefer?
Cross is actually my favorite discipline. You have to be fully concentrated for 40 minutes while riding the stop and have great bike control. The sport with its many different ground conditions and routes is so multifaceted and fascinates me again and again.
But I also feel very comfortable on the road, even if I don't have that much experience there.
Do you have a role model in the cross scene that you aspire to?
Of course it is Marianne Vos who is being emulated. How she tirelessly starts after every corner, how she has her bike under control and all in all is a perfectionist. Besides her, I also find Sven Nys very impressive. Not only that he has been at the top of the world so consistently for years. Especially his coolness is awesome, if things don't go perfectly in the race, he still stays "relaxed".
Do you have a ritual that you have before every race that helps you with the races?
If I already know the course, I think about it the night before the race, when I'm in bed, from start to finish.
There are only a few young riders in Germany who compete in cross races, why did you decide to do so and what motivates you to do so?
I've been involved in competitive sports since I was a child and have always ridden a bike. I've always found cross country cool and fascinated me because it demands everything from the athlete. Concentration, pressure, technique, and fitness of the entire body.
I am motivated by success and the long-term goal of being one of the greats in international cross-sport. It also motivates me to have such good support from Stevens Racing Team.
You've been racing cyclocross since you were in school and you've made it into the top German rankings, do you have any advice for young riders?
You shouldn't lose the fun, but on the other hand you should also, to put it in plain English, pinch your ass cheeks if things don't go well or you don't feel like getting on your bike in the winter cold. However, you must not be too dogged, otherwise you will lose the fun. I think you just have to find a good balance in between.
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