The unknown: Torben Drach grew up in the cross-country stronghold of Kirchzarten, near Freiburg. He competed in the EWS for the first time in 2017. Torben now lives in Karlsruhe, where he studied mechanical engineering.
Torben, last year you ousted enduro king Christian Textor from the throne after six years and became German Enduro Champion. What has changed in your life since your victory?
Phew, not much. Maybe the odd interview request. That's all.
Can this be seen as proof that Germany is still an enduro development country?
Perhaps. The reasons are complex. On the one hand, enduro struggles with the often-mentioned poorer media presence. Cross-country and downhill are much better covered on TV. Secondly, the sport is still young. Remember, downhill racing has been around since the early 1990s, while serious enduro racing has only been around for a decade.
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Moderate promotion of young talent in the enduro sector
That's true, but there are hardly any Germans at the top of the world, instead there are many French. How do you explain that?
The French have been celebrating the sport a little longer than we have. Added to this is the poor promotion of young talent in this country. Or rather: the late promotion. In Germany, the clubs primarily take care of young cross-country riders, and it is only later that they can specialise and receive less support. Enduro departments in the clubs are rare. In France, the promotion of young talent is more comprehensive. Everything is trained there, downhill and endurance, even trials. This allows you to take the direction in which your talent and enthusiasm lie at an early age. At least that's how I experienced it in my youth when we used to train with the French.
You rode cross-country for a long time, and from 2017 you occasionally took part in enduro races. Now you're switching to the EDR-E camp. Many people were surprised about your switch to the E camp.
Yes, I've heard that. However, it was less in my environment and more in internet forums. The astonishment surprised me. If I had switched to the downhill camp, nobody would have been surprised.
Do you think so? It's more about the fact that you make it to the national top in one category and then switch paddocks shortly afterwards. That's amazing. E or not.
Why? The two classes are very close to each other. Same World Cup stops and partly identical routes. For me, it was a question of whether I wanted to enter professional life after my mechanical engineering degree or become a professional biker. And within a framework in which I can get the maximum out of myself.
A question of budget
And that's only possible in the e-segment?
Yes, because with my new sponsor Rotwild, I have the budget I need to attend all the World Cup races and not have to tinker with the bike myself just before the race starts. You have to know that I've been riding enduro since 2017, but only ever alongside my studies and only occasionally, as I didn't have the budget. Now I felt like finally giving it a proper go because I think there's more in it. I'm incredibly happy about that.
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Did the rumour that the UCI wants to abolish the EDR World Cup in the foreseeable future and concentrate on the E-version play a role in your decision?
Sure, that also played a role. Many EDR teams have dropped out. Consistency was important for me, which I tend to find in the EDR-E.
What are you looking forward to in the coming racing season?
Above all, I'm looking forward to finally racing uncompromisingly and with full support. The main differences to the EDR are the number of stages and the power days. These technical climbs, where you can lose many seconds in an instant, appeal to me, but are still new territory for me. I'm currently training for these technical uphills in the forest and having a lot of fun.
Have you set yourself any goals for the season?
Sure, you need that as an athlete. I want to regularly finish in the top ten and sometimes stand on the podium.
At the BIKE Festival in Willingen (24 to 26 May) the German Enduro Championship 2024 will be held. Your bike sponsor only has e-bikes in the segment. Will you defend your title?
I will. Even on a red deer. Incidentally, the first E-Enduro Championship is also taking place this year, in the same week (20 May) in neighbouring Winterberg. I want to start there too.
Laurin Lehner
Editor
