At the age of 49, Guido Tschugg becomes UCI Downhill World Champion - with an artificial hip. In an interview with BIKE, he talks about the wild final race, risky tyre decisions and why age is just a number in downhill racing.
Guido Tschugg: That was extremely emotional. Two years ago, I had an artificial hip. Nobody knew whether I would ever be able to ride like that again - downhill, motocross, racing. And now I'm standing there as world champion. That's pretty special.
BIKE: Did you have any problems during the race?
Tschugg: No, the hip has healed completely. Sure, I can feel it sometimes. But I can do everything again as before. The manufacturer got in touch as soon as he heard about my success - world champion with a new hip is of course a good story.
BIKE: How did qualifying go - a sure thing or a nail-biter?
Tschugg: I finished the quali one second behind. Petr Hanak was in front. Where do I get that second from now? I had actually already put in a good run. And then it occurred to me: The rear tyre has to roll better. I had the Super Tacky compound from Schwalbe on it. It had mega grip, but I needed a harder rubber compound on the track. So I went to the bike shop and bought a tyre.
Hard tyre, no chain and then?
BIKE: In the final you rode with harder tyres, but also without a chain - what happened?
Tschugg: In the final, I attacked at full speed. In the middle of the course, I took too much speed on two drops and almost jumped into the flat - I must have bent my chainring in the process. Suddenly one pedal was up and one was down. Disaster.
BIKE: And then?
Tschugg: I thought: That's it. But I just kept pushing. Then the chain jumped off and rubbed against the rim. I only had one thought left: I hope it doesn't get wrapped up.
At some point it was gone. And then suddenly it worked again: pedals parallel, I could pump like on a pump track. No more pedalling - just carry speed, use every wave, land every jump cleanly.
BIKE: Sounds like a loss of control - and control at the same time.
Tschugg: That's exactly how it was. At the bottom there was another section of forest, where I usually slowed down slightly. Not this time. Just let it go. Then a long straight - the others pedalled, I made myself small and pumped. The last jump: big table. Full scrub, landed cleanly - and to the finish.
BIKE: And world champion!
Tschugg: I honestly thought: That will never be enough. Then I see the time - best time. But the favourite is still coming, riding exactly like in qualifying. And suddenly I have a three-second lead.
BIKE: So the tyre change was crucial?
Tschugg: Totally. I wouldn't have become world champion without it. I bought the tyre on the spot - 90 euros. The dealer was delighted afterwards.
You think twice in old age
BIKE: How challenging was the route?
Tschugg: Fast and pretty tough for a Masters World Championship. Lots of blind jumps, little visibility, lots of risk. OK for younger riders - but from the age of 45 you'll think twice about jumping it.
BIKE: You're turning 50 this year, what does the title mean to you?
Tschugg: A lot. Especially because I know that I'm still one of the fastest. Overall, I was the seventh fastest driver in all classes. That shows me that there is still room for improvement.
BIKE: You became Masters World Champion in the 40+ class 9 years ago, back then in Andorra. Now in the 50+ class. What's the next step?
Tschugg: Well - maybe 60 plus. (laughs) No, seriously: I'll keep going as long as I can. And there's also a world champion jersey with rainbow stripes again. It's even faster to ride in.
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
