Source: Andreas Rabel / 02.01.16 / OTZ, TA, TLZ / OTZ Online
Cycling: After a weak season so far, it will be difficult for track sprinter Robert Förstemann to participate in the 2016 World Championships and Olympics. At the World Cup in Hong Kong he wants to confirm his upward trend.
Berlin. The days are getting longer again. For Robert Förstemann, they have been for a long time. He leaves his Berlin apartment early at seven to head to Frankfurt/Oder for track training. Son Noah is long in bed by the time he gets home. Everyday life with Robert Förstemann. “I train on the track as often as I can,” he says. “In Berlin, that’s not possible at the moment because of various renovations at the Velodrom.”
Robert Förstemann is going through difficult times. The winter did not go as planned at all, in the team sprint the 29-year-old wanted to qualify as a starter for the World Championships in London and the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio. But his rival René Enders from Erfurt set the faster times.
“The aim was to replace Enders as the fastest starter. That hasn’t been achieved so far. But he has also shown a super performance this winter,” says Förstemann, assessing the situation realistically. “I can’t say I have very, very good chances for the Olympics. That’s not the case. It will be difficult. I’m not one to sugarcoat things. But anyone who knows me knows that I never give up. I fight. I try everything.”
Even the holidays he sat on the bike. Almost every day he posted pictures and videos on his channels in the social networks. And he feels that progress is being made, even if it is slow and laborious. Why it did not run despite all efforts, conclusively he can not answer it yet. Certainly mistakes were made in the training structure, he says. He returned from the altitude training camp in Colorado sick, losing substance. With the lack of results, the necessary looseness also disappeared. “You want to, but the body isn’t pulling along the way you want – it’s frustrating.” The native of Greiz, who grew up at SSV Gera, packed January with competitions. This has made him strong in recent years – many competitions, many successes.
He’s already racing again on January 2, getting on his road bike at the Revolution series in Manchester, followed by the third World Cup of the season in Hong Kong, then probably another Revolution race and the Berlin Sixdays. The London Olympic bronze medalist will probably have his last chance to turn the wheel at the World Cup in Hong Kong in mid-January. There he will compete in the sprint and the team sprint. “That’s where I want to demonstrate my capabilities.” And of necessity, his gaze is already turning toward Tokyo 2020. Enders will probably step down after the Games in Rio, which could clear the way for Förstemann. “I’m still top-motivated. If this season ends badly for me, I’ll still tackle the next four years to get back on the bandwagon in 2020.”
