Has retirement become too boring for you?
I was practically out for three years. There were irreconcilable differences with Focus at the time, so I left. In the meantime, I worked as a driving technique trainer for the Robinson Club, among other things. I had a lot of fun doing that. Relations with Focus are now better again. The new management is on my wavelength, so I'm happy to offer my expertise as a consultant.
Ford is said to have paid you millions for the naming rights to Focus. Haven't you already made your money?
(laughs) Well taken care of is relative. Anyone who knows me knows that I can't sit still.
What appeal does it have for you to design wheels?
When I started mountain biking, everything was still in its infancy. Today, the technology is better and more maintenance-free. I want to get the maximum out of the material and give new food for thought.
What can Mike Kluge invent that doesn't yet exist?
Probably not inventing. Nowadays, bikes can only be improved in nuances. Take tyres, for example. I've already registered a patent for tyres. Thanks to my experience in the various disciplines - road, cross, track and MTB - I have a wealth of knowledge that few people possess.
Do you miss life in the professional circus?
Yes, it was a great time. It was the victories, the travelling, the different cultures that I really miss. I never left straight away. It was important to me to take something from a country with me. Unfortunately, my career ended very painfully. I injured my neck and head very badly in a fall in Madrid in 1998. Months of rehab and massages were only moderately successful. The last two years of racing were very tough. Headaches that lasted for days made training impossible at times.
You often train with Jan Ullrich. How did you experience the Tour de France?
We used to ride together, but Jan now lives in Switzerland. The Tour was of course a great comeback, but I would have preferred him to sign with Bjarne Riis. In my opinion, he could have won with him. But still: Jan's second place is amazing. He is a talent of the century.
Did you also follow the Bike World Championships?
The World Championships were great, there really were a few bright spots. I believe that if we continue on this basis, the sport of cycling could attract more attention again. It's important that there are good riders like Sabine Spitz who motivate those around them. Sponsors, media interest and less association bureaucracy are also important points. The races need to become more interesting, for example with shorter laps and routes and a more concentrated programme.
Are you still in contact with the bike scene?
In my professional days, I actually had little contact with the drivers. I think that's in the nature of things: you're practically every racer's opponent. But this year in St. Wendel, I had a really good chat with Frischi.
Are you still recognised when you're out and about on your bike?
Yes, that's really amazing. When I was at the "Club of the Best" at the Robinson Club this year, some people knew more about my career than I did myself (laughs).
Why is that?
I was and still am a person who does not accept injustice. I rebel against the arbitrariness of the federations and continue to call for a driver's spokesperson who is more responsive to the needs of the athletes. But the stubbornness of some officials prevents any development.
What was your best victory?
My best victory was at the 1992 World Cross Country Championships in Leeds. After a few lean years, which had a lot to do with my notorious partying, I consistently prepared myself for the World Championships. Everything went perfectly. I still smile today when I see myself at the start of the race - I stood there with a broad chest and knew that nobody could beat me.
What do you want to do in the future?
I'll see how things develop with Focus first. But my dream is a bike hotel in South Africa or ... we'll see.
(Interview: Björn Scheele, Photos: Eddie Wagner, Christian Penning)
