Cross-country athlete Nina Benz: "My head is clear again."

Nina Benz wants to reach the top in cross-country sport. True to her motto "It will be hard, it will be epic", she is now motivated for the new season. Her big goal: the 2024 Olympics in Paris. She is preparing for this together with the Lexware mountain bike team. At the same time, she is studying economics in Freiburg and is always on the lookout for the best coffee in town.

BIKE: You announced on your blog: Olympia 2024 is your big goal in cross-country. How present is the Olympics in your mind right now?

Nina Benz: Not at the moment, because I have other goals ahead of me. I want to work my way back into the top 40 of the world rankings. For a better starting position and to be allowed to compete in short track again. I'm also focussing on the European Championships, World Championships and the German Championships.

Let's talk about the 2024 Olympics anyway. Is your Olympic preparation identical to that of a World Cup?

The training is mainly aimed at the highlights, such as the European Championships, World Championships and the German Championships. But the overall concept of my coach, Fabian Neunstöcklin, is focussed on the Olympics in the long term.

The competition in cross-county is fierce. How do you rate your chances of qualifying for the Olympics?

I think it's pretty cool that the German girls are getting stronger and stronger. But I think it's realistic that I can also make it to the Olympics. It was already very close for me in 2021 and now I'm doing my best again to be able to compete in Paris in 2024.

Last year, you fell and broke your ankle. To what extent does the injury still affect you today?

My rehab worked so well that I was on my bike before I could even walk. Physically, the injury hasn't affected me at all since December. I've been able to maintain my stamina well through swimming training.

And mentally?

After the prognosis that I wouldn't be allowed to do any sport for three months, my mind naturally started to chatter. I had to think about how big an impact it would have on the season. When I fell, I slipped on a left-hand bend and braced myself with my foot. I broke my ankle in the process. I was aware that the situation would happen again. Whether in a competition or in training. There was a very similar incident at the last training camp. But my reflexes worked and I skilfully caught myself. The ankle held. That was the moment when I realised: My head was clear again.

You are studying economics in Freiburg at the same time. How difficult is it to combine studying and training? Isn't it always a compromise?

Yes, that's true. I always say: I'm a full-time professional and an amateur student. Before I started studying, I trained as a bank clerk. After that, I started studying in Freiburg. I'm trying to do that now. My focus is on cycling, but a bit of head training doesn't hurt.

Wouldn't it help to concentrate fully on the sport?

My focus is on professional sport. But once I've started something, I want to see it through. I've already invested so much time in my studies that it would be a shame to throw it away now.

Do others manage more training hours when they are fully focussed on training?

I am of the opinion that you can't compare yourself at all. Everyone needs a different training volume from the outset. My trainer gives me my training plan and I adapt the rest to it. It's good for me to do something in addition to sport so that my thoughts don't revolve around my training 24/7.

You had corona last year and then your ankle injury. You were out for weeks as a result. Were you able to take anything positive from this?

So at first you think to yourself: I finally want to train again and it can't get any worse. But I realise that it can always be worse. A comparatively minor injury is still stressful for you. But at some point I thought to myself: That's enough! If you're always so negative, you attract negativity. And I'm actually a positive person. That was my turning point, when my motivation came back. From then on, things went uphill.

Do you struggle with fear of falling during races or are you able to block it out?

No, I've never had a fear of falling. I can switch my head off well in competition. In the first two weeks after the accident, you are naturally more careful on the bike. But I worked through the crash with a sports psychologist at the time. That was very important for me.

You've been in the World Cup for a few years now, you've experienced setbacks and injuries. What lessons would you pass on to your 18-year-old self?

I would tell her: have fun, believe in what you're doing and don't give up. And above all, don't drive yourself crazy!

Do you go through a certain routine before races to keep yourself focussed?

Yes, I have a playlist that I always listen to before the race and I eat the same breakfast. You can't control the tension at every race, but I try to stay as relaxed as possible.

A playlist - which song is one of your favourites?

When I drive to the race course with the other girls, we listen to "Girls just want to have fun" by Cyndi Lauper. It fits before every competition.