12.06.2017
With only 3 weeks of preparation in the weight room and on the flat track in Fredersdorf, Robert went to the German Championships in Frankfurt/Oder with very mixed feelings. Due to illness, he had to take a break after the World Cup. In the short preparation time, he had imposed a large training workload on himself, which then fortunately also paid off.
So Robert himself was amazed when he stood on the podium with a second personal best time in the 1,000 m time trial with a bronze medal on his first day of competition. In the sprint qualifier on Saturday, Robert finished 3rd behind Tobias Wächter and Maximilian Levy with a time of 10.143 seconds, and then made it safely to the quarterfinals in the sprint event. There he needed 3 runs to win against a strong Maximilian Dörnbach. In the semifinals Robert lost twice to the future new German champion Maximilian Levy. So Robert had to play in the small final for bronze against the winner of the qualification Tobias Wächter. Here Robert needed again 3 runs on the way to bronze. The expert audience in the Oderlandhalle was rewarded by the four finalists with extremely exciting and first-class sprint races until late in the evening.
Impressive then the sprint podium of this year’s German Championships: For more than 10 years always at Germany’s top – the three Olympians, world record holders and world champions. On Saturday night for each of the three guys a special moment. Maximilian Levy – back after repeated collarbone fracture. Rene Enders in 2nd place – who showed good form. Robert Förstemann – after a long illness with only a few days of competition preparation on 3rd place. Congratulations and great respect. On the last day it was time for Robert to start in the Keirin. He drove well into the final, where he initially finished fourth. Later came the distancing for overtaking on the carpet. “Under these circumstances, I am quite satisfied with the overall result and look forward to the next tasks,” said Robert at the end of the DM. Robert would like to thank his sponsors, patrons and supporters !
