Interview: The Swiss Christoph Sauser travels to Singen as the defending champion for the Marathon European Championships. The Specialized biker is one of the bikers who have already twice won the European Championship title over long distances. With a third win at the Rothaus Hegau Bike Marathon on May 10, the 39-year-old would be the record winner. In a short interview he talks about his chances and a hussar ride that he would like to repeat.
Christoph Sauser, in June you will end your more than 20-year career as a mountain bike pro. Does it matter that the Rothaus Hegau Bike Marathon will be the last European Championship for you?
Yes, it's my last EM and that's a bit in the back of my mind. But in the race itself I won't think about it at all. In the end, the focus is clearly on the result.
In 2013, when the European Marathon Championships were also held in Singen, you were very unlucky a few hundred meters from the finish line with a defective chain, which may have cost you the title.
2013 is a thing of the past. I just have to do better on May 10, 2015.
When you start a marathon race, you're always among the favorites. How well prepared do you feel?
The trip to America that I've just completed is certainly not ideal for preparing for the European Championship. Of course, my main focus is on the Marathon World Championships in Val Gardena at the end of June. But I will give 110 percent to be able to defend my title.
You won the Cape Epic with Olympic champion Jaroslav Kulhavy in March. Last year in Ireland he was second behind you at the European Championships. Will he be a partner or a competitor?
The route in Hegau is certainly more tailored to Jaro. Of course it would be awesome if we could pull off a hussar ride like last year when we were both ahead together. However, this is much more difficult in the Hegau, as the course is designed almost exclusively on open paths and has far fewer trails than in Ireland a year ago.
Besides Kulhavy, who else do you expect to compete with?
I think Alban Lakata, Topeak-Ergon's Kristian Hynek and the Bulls riders will be strong.
Short portrait of Christoph Sauser
Born April 13, 1976
Residence: Sigriswil, Switzerland
Team: Specialized Racing Team
Greatest successes in the marathon: 3x world champion, 2x world championship silver, 2x world championship bronze. 2x European Champion, 1x Silver, Five-time Cape Epic Winner
Greatest successes in cross-country (elite): Olympic bronze in 2000, 1x world champion, 2x world championship silver, 13 World Cup victories, 2 overall World Cup victories