Nadine Rieder (Red Deer)
I'm currently in South Africa. The Cape Epic was actually on the agenda this week. Fortunately, it wasn't the highlight of the season for me, but part of my preparations for the cross-country season. So the cancellation is not so tragic for me. With the cancellation of all the other races, it is of course anything but easy to have a structure in training. Fortunately, my coach is taking on this task. I know that I can rely on him completely and that he will get me back into top form in good time. I think the most important thing now is to stay healthy and help improve the situation!
Georg Egger (Lexware Mountain Bike Team)
Of course it's daft that there are no competitions. In addition, the thought that the next few months would be boring really annoyed me at first. As co-organiser of the first MTB Budesliga race in Obergessertshausen, I was confronted with the coronavirus problem and the race cancellations as both an athlete and organiser. However, cancelling the races is the only sensible way to get the coronavirus crisis under control. My training has also changed. It's getting lonelier and winter training is going into extra time, so to speak. Basic sessions with mates are no longer an option. Instead of intensive races, I tend to train longer and less intensively, just like in winter. However, as soon as the end of quarantine is in sight, I will be ramping up the intensity of my training again.
Nina Hoffmann (Nina Hoffmann Racing - Stif)
The first World Cup in Lousa was supposed to have taken place last weekend. Now I'm sitting in my flat and have to do other things to pass the time. To be honest, I saw this coming 4-5 weeks ago. That's why I was able to prepare myself quite well mentally. Still, it's a shame, of course. I would have loved to have heated up in Lousa! I've been back in Jena since Wednesday, avoiding socialising, going cycling and rearranging my room to have more space for training at home. I'm going to take it easy for the next few weeks and not stress myself too much. I can't train optimally at the moment anyway and it's not foreseeable when the season will really start. However, that doesn't mean that I'm not training. Road cycling, mountain biking, strength training with body weight and light additional weights are all possible. So keep in shape as best I can and then attack when the season starts! I'm confident about that.
Alban Lakata (Team Bulls)
The situation has changed dramatically. There aren't really any races in sight. We don't know whether this will only last a few more weeks, months or the whole year. You don't know what you're training for, which is an absolute killer for training morale and motivation. I'm not even allowed to go out here in East Tyrol to do my training. That's a problem right now, as I'm in a phase where the training volumes are increasing. The volumes are so big that they can hardly be done on the roller. That's why I've finally signed up to Zwift and am looking for a way to bridge the gap. But what annoys me is that other people can do their work in the office. As professionals, we have to go training to get our work done. Our workplace is out in nature. An exception should be made here.
Ines Thoma (Canyon Factory Enduro Team)
I'm super lucky in these times of curfew. We live in the countryside and have a lot of space on the property. There's room for trial obstacles, a slackline etc. I always do my gym from home anyway, so I have everything I need. What's missing, of course, is proper enduro training, but the racing season doesn't start until June and runs until the end of November. So still a long season and enough time to get back up to racing speed.
Ronja Eibl (Alpecin Fenix)
The effects of the coronavirus are noticeable. Firstly, I had to come back from the training camp a little early. I then continued the training camp at home for the last week. Thanks to the great weather, that was also possible. I also have to do without group training, because even though everyone has time now, I'm still only allowed to train with my dad and my brother. But now I have a rest week on the agenda anyway. After that, I'll have to see what happens next. I haven't worked out an alternative plan yet.
Elisabeth Brandau (Radon-EBE-Racing Team)
So far, little has changed for me. Sure, last weekend would have been the first Bundesliga race in Obergessertshausen. Unfortunately, that has now been cancelled. I suggested a training race, but that was rejected. Thanks to the special regulation that allows athletes from the Olympic squad to continue training without restrictions, despite legal orders, I can actually carry on as before. Apart from that, I also have my own training room at home where I can do sessions on the roller or my strength training. That suits me now that I have to be at home more often because my children are no longer allowed to go to the kindergarten.
Maximilian Brandl (Lexware Mountain Bike Team)
Check out this post on Instagram A post shared by Maximilian Brandl (@thebikemax) am Element not implemented:
Element not implemented: </span><br /> </p><blockquote>It's clear that the races have been cancelled due to the coronavirus. That's a shame. But for my coach it means: 'Great, no races. Then Max can train more'. Not twice as much, but still more than during a race week. Normally you only have two hours of training including warm-up. Now I can sit on my bike for three to four hours at the weekend. So that means that winter training continues and is enriched with a few more intensities. To avoid being stuck alone in my flat in Freiburg during the crisis, I moved to Weilheim an der Teck to stay with my girlfriend's family. Not only can I rack up the kilometres there, but I can also lend a hand in the family business.</blockquote> <h2>Eva Lechner (Trinx Factory Team)</h2> <imagebox src="/__image/a/4034358/alias/xl/v/1/c/14/ar/flexible/fn/423bf11c652e8cab48590f32b189c3c6eb137920.jpg" assetid="4034358" name="423bf11c652e8cab48590f32b189c3c6eb137920.jpeg" align="centre"><copyright name="Eva Lechner" /><!-- New: Low-Level-Author as credits --><credits></credits><description>Until the races start after the corona crisis, the South Tyrolean wants to maintain her form with roller training and stability exercises.</description></imagebox><blockquote>In addition to the fact that there are no more races, everything actually went well at the beginning. Well, the roads here in South Tyrol really are empty. But I and all the other athletes from the Olympic squad had permission to train outdoors despite the curfew. But that wasn't appreciated at all. People booed me when they caught me outside on my bike. To set a good example, our association finally recommended that I no longer leave the house to train. Since then, I've been cycling on the roller and keeping fit with stability exercises. My aim is to keep my fitness at a solid level until it's clear when the season starts. Only then will I intensify my training again.</blockquote> <h2>Christian Textor (Bulls Xtreme)</h2> <imagebox src="/__image/a/4034189/alias/xl/v/1/c/14/ar/flexible/fn/8108926b31d7b9198a148e3f4444bbb82d873363.jpg" assetid="4034189" name="8108926b31d7b9198a148e3f4444bbb82d873363.jpeg" align="centre"><copyright name="Christian Textor" /><!-- New: Low-Level-Author as credits --><credits></credits><description>Wrenching on the bike, lifting weights or strength training: many bikers dream of Christian Textor's garage.</description></imagebox><blockquote>At the moment, I'm always trying to look on the bright side and enjoy the good things: for example, the extra time with my wife and children. Hopefully I'll be able to go cycling with my friends again soon. I also hope that the current circumstances will make people rethink their actions and learn to appreciate one thing or another.<br /> In terms of training, I'm in the fortunate position of having a few weights in the garage and living right on the edge of the forest. So I can keep fit, do a few easy sessions outside or go for a run with the family. At the moment, nobody knows when the season will start, which is certainly not the worst thing in the current situation. But I'm trying to be ready and, with God's help, have a positive influence on my surroundings.</blockquote> </content
Max Fuchs
Editor
