Bike People 2022: The real heroes of the year
BIKE
· 18.12.2022
1 Jo Klieber, thoroughbred inventor
Innovations have become rare in mountain biking. It's a good thing that the tinkering luminary Jo Klieber exists. Born in Swabia, he is known as a driven perfectionist. He pondered over a steering force stabiliser for five years. With his Invention K.I.S. (Keep It Stable), he found an open ear in the bicycle industry as well as in the motorbike sector. We also see advantages in K.I.S. and are pleased that there are guys like Klieber who are bringing a breath of fresh air to MTB development.
2 Tom Pidcock, cycling high-flyer
It's fair to call the 23-year-old Brit megalomaniac. The reason for this is his self-confident statement that he wants to become world champion in all three disciplines (MTB, road, cyclocross) - in the same year. A murmur went through the scene after this announcement. He proved early on in the season that he has what it takes. He won the Cyclocross World Championships back in January, followed by a stage win at the Tour de France in July, and shortly afterwards he crowned himself the world champion with the European Championship title in mountain biking. At the World Championships in Les Gets Pidcock then ran out of steam: 4th place. We say: He may succeed in his endeavour in 2023.
3 Nina Hoffmann, downhill sensation
While the German men were beaten by the English and French in the downhill, Nina 2022 really took off. The 26-year-old former javelin thrower from Jena claimed her second World Cup victory at the start of the season. The crowning glory: The runner-up world championship title at the end of August in Les Gets. No German has ever achieved that. Keep up the good work!
4 + 5 Lukas Baum & Georg Egger, the underdogs
The two Germans rolled into the start of the legendary Cape Epic stage race at the end of March as absolute outsiders. Experts such as Christoph Sauser were counting on star duos like Schurter & Forster or Blevens & Beers. However, nobody had the two 27-year-old Germans on their radar. But at the end of the race, they were the ones spraying the champagne on the podium. A real surprise.
6 Kathi Kuypers, slopestyle trailblazer
The former BIKE trainee from Upper Bavaria is one of the few women in the sport of slopestyle. For many years, Kathi (32) competed alongside her male professional colleagues. At this year's Red Bull District Ride in Nuremberg selected female slopestyle bikers had the opportunity to show off their skills for the first time. They also had Kathi to thank for this, who provided the event sponsor with help and advice for the women's premiere.
7 Braydon Bringhurst, Uphill Champion
At the beginning of November, the Film "The whole Enchilada" on YouTube. In it, the American Braydon conquers the legendary Moab Trail - but uphill. A technical masterstroke over 2638 metres in altitude, some of which are blocked and often peppered with almost insurmountable climbs. Instead of hopping over rock steps in trial style, the 34-year-old managed to master key sections with explosive acceleration and plenty of flow. Braydon breathed a whole new charm into the otherwise boring discipline of the uphill and set a new record at the same time.
8 + 9 Julius Gräf and Nick Helmstetter, Alpine Princes
At the age of just eight, he conquered Julius the Alps: in 10 days, covering 500 kilometres and around 3500 metres in altitude. At the beginning of the season, the second-grader started with his father in Munich and ended up in Venice. In the Interview in BIKE Julius reported numb fingers and sleet on the Brenner Pass.
In response to our interview with Julius, the Helmstetter family, who live with their son Nick mastered the Alps when he was just six years old and this year he is taking on his third Transalp. So young and so much stamina - the two Alpine princes deserve our full respect.
10 + 11 Christian Textor and Raphaela Richter, enduro enthusiasts
The rider from the Westerwald keeps the German flag flying high in the Enduro World Series. This year Christian Textor did particularly well. The 32-year-old finished in the top 20 five times (overall result: 19th place). In addition, "Texi" defended his German championship title. When asked why there are so few enduro racing series in Germany, Textor is pragmatic: "I'm not waiting for official support from the association, we have to take matters into our own hands."
Raphaela Richter achieved a sensational 9th place in the overall EWS ranking.
Interview: Julius, the King of the Alps
Julius Gräf (8) from Thuringia crossed the Alps by bike, making him the youngest person to cross the Alps by bike.
BIKE: Julius, congratulations on your crossing of the Alps. What was the best moment of your adventure?
Julius Gräf: The moment we arrived in Venice. I knew then that we had nothing more ahead of us.
And during the crossing of the Alps?
Actually, whenever it went downhill. Even after we crossed the border into Italy and the sun finally came out.
Was there a situation when you wanted to quit?
No, there wasn't any. But it was bad on the ascent to the Brenner Pass - in sleet and zero degrees. My fingers were numb from the cold and my face was blue.
What congratulations were you most pleased to receive after your successful crossing?
When we came home from Venice, there was a welcome party. There were about 50 people there, and the mayor even gave me a trophy.
Are there any plans for another venture with your dad?
Not for this year. But maybe I'll cycle to the football stadium in Dortmund with my dad. I'm a BVB fan. Dad says I can easily manage the 300 kilometres.
