BIKE: Congratulations, Henri. The first medal for Germany in the elite men's downhill. Did your early start help you?
HENRI KIEFER: Yes, it's much more relaxed to start early. The pressure increases when you're one of the last.
What is your explanation for your sensational run?
I was confident and free in my head, because I knew that I could ride in front. In other words: the speed was there! I had proven that in the last few races, see Leogang or La Thuile. My speed was actually there in all the World Cups, I just wasn't able to perform consistently enough.
After your run, you sat in the hotseat for ages as the fastest driver and all the stars arrived. And one after the other, such as Andreas Kolb, failed. Were you thinking about gold?
Definitely. As soon as I got to the bottom and saw my time, my gut told me that this could be a medal. Because I was three seconds faster than Dylan Maples. Three seconds is a lot in our sport. So I thought: top 5 or even a medal.
What do you talk about when you're in the hotseat? What do you say to Ronan Dunne?
We chat a bit. But mostly about the route, tricky sections or the mistakes of others. But no blatant insides.
Were you disappointed when Jackson Goldstone snatched the gold medal from you?
No, not at all. It has to be said that Jackson was a good bit faster. I'm completely satisfied with my performance. Second in the world!
And you've already won gold as a junior.
But the world champion title in the elite category carries a completely different weight. I still can't really realise that I've become runner-up. It happened, then we celebrated and now it's straight on to the next race. I can hardly think about it and I'm finding it hard to enjoy the achievement at all because it's all happening in quick succession.
What was the reaction to your medal? Did the Federal Chancellor call you and congratulate you?
(Laughs). No, he hasn't contacted me yet. In fact, I can't think of anything.
Didn't PLAYBOY call to do an interview with you?
No. Congratulations from my family and friends. From the sponsors, of course. But no chancellor. But he seems to be very keen on cycling. Friedrich Merz wrote a post for Florian Lipowitz congratulating him on his third place in the Tour de France.
You mentioned the sponsors. Is there a bonus for the title?
Yes, that is contractually stipulated. There is a bonus for the title.
It's also not bad if there's a cash prize in addition to fame and honour.
In any case. That's also fair.
Where's your silver medal now? Have you just put it on?
(Laughs). That would be it! (Laughs). Nah, I leave the big successes in my dad's flat. That includes the silver medal. We hang it on the wall in his flat.
So was your dad the first person you spoke to on the phone after the success?
Exactly. I called him.
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
