Cycling: Max Walscheid has completed his second professional season. The sprinter competed in numerous races for the German team Sunweb. We had the opportunity to discuss the past season and the future with the 24-year-old.
"Sprinters should deliver results."
Hi Max, you are now in your second full season on the WorldTour. How did the second year differ from the first season for you?
“2016, my first year, was more than turbulent with broken legs and hands from the training accident in January and pneumonia in the summer. Luckily I was spared such setbacks in 2017. I was able to ride much more consistently. Nevertheless, I would have liked to have spared myself one or two colds, especially in the first half of the season.”
In a team as strong as Sunweb, it's difficult to be allowed to drive on your own account. How do you come to terms with initially acting more as a helper and not always being able to drive on your own?
“Acting as a helper is part of cycling. We are a team and I also enjoy supporting my teammates. Nevertheless, I clearly signed as a sprinter. Of course, you first have to prove yourself as a neo-professional. You start from scratch, but I am built by the team as a sprinter and sprinters are supposed to deliver results.”
With a lot of fast people, it's not quite enough to win at the end. A Mark Renshaw, for example, had to realize at some point that he was a born starter. you are still young What are your ambitions?
"I'm a sprinter and I want to develop as such."
When did you realize that you would establish yourself as a sprinter? Has your height already given you the way?
"At the beginning of my cycling career with the juniors, I was less able to demonstrate my sprinting skills and some saw me more as a time trialist. But that was because I just didn't have the level to have enough grains for a sprint at the end of national races. In training and fresh, however, I was always very fast and I knew that from the start. It was always – and still is – about getting into the final fresher and then showing my speed.”
Do you see yourself more as a pure sprinter, or at some point as a potential classic hunter?
“I think races like Paris-Roubaix can suit me. Many classics are currently too difficult. My first priority is the sprint. You'll see how far I can get later in tougher races, but that's of secondary importance."
“In the end, it was good to deal with the memories. "
In cycling, it's damn hard to make the leap from a hobby to a professional cyclist. Many younger pilots from the Rad-Bundesliga give up at some point because they don't get an offer from a WorldTour team. You yourself got into cycling relatively late. What tips do you have for all those who work so hard and still want to make it?
"International races. It's not worth trying to prove yourself on the circuit or small national races for a contract. A few big teams certainly know the Bundesliga, but in the end UCI results and victories count, and certainly national championships.”
At the beginning of 2016 you suffered a serious accident in the training camp with some teammates. Do these images stay with you every time you train, or did you quickly forget that horrible day?
“Before the first practice session after the accident, I was concerned that it might be difficult to forget the accident, but in the end it was good to deal with the memories. Overall, I've certainly become more cautious. Even though we were completely at fault for the accident, I still try to avoid risks and, especially in training, halfway factor in the mistakes of others. Of course, this is never 100 percent possible on the road.”
What does your everyday training look like? Which colleagues do you train with and what influence does your team have?
“The influence of the team is great. We all have internal team coaches. My trainer Morten Bennekou controls my complete training in close consultation with me and sets the plan, evaluates and analyses. As a rule, I have two strength training sessions a week, often only one during the season, and I do the rest on the bike. In road training, we work very individually with many intervals. Hardly a quick minute is not controlled. There are no professionals living around Heidelberg, where I live. In any case, amateurs can also be very good training partners. Greetings to my cousin at this point.”
“I want to do a lot of races”
Do you have a role model that you use as a guide for your own development?
“Ultimately, I try to learn something from every top sprinter. I wouldn't call him a role model, but I was still very happy to receive praise from Cipollini in the Gazetta dello Sport after the Tour of Hainan last year."
Which race would you like to win yourself?
“The sprinter classic par excellence is the Scheldeprijs, the most important stage for sprinters is the one on the Champs-Elysées. But Paris-Roubaix fascinates me the most as a race.”
Also in 2018 you drive for Team Sunweb. What races are on the program and what personal goals have you set yourself?
“I don't have a precise race program yet. The rough plan is in place and the team already has a fairly precise idea, but the calendar isn't ready yet. But my first priority is rather unspecific: I want to do a lot of races where I end up sprinting. Otherwise, the first week of April with Schelde and Roubaix is definitely important for me.”