Nina Graf (27) Nina is one of the fastest cross-country riders in Germany. The reigning German champion will compete in the 2026 World Cup for Team Trek Unbroken XC. Her greatest successes include bronze at the 2024 European Championships, participation in the Olympic Games in Paris in the same year and the runner-up world title in the U23 class in 2019. Nina, born Benz, is married to professional mountain biker Silas Graf and lives in Freiburg.
"I really laugh at everything"
BIKE: What can you laugh about?
Nina Graf: About quite a lot of things. I just like to laugh - at good jokes, weird situations and, to be honest, at my own misadventures. Or those of others.
The unloved part of training
BIKE: What do you find most difficult in training?
Nina Graf: Everything that has to do with stabilisation and stretching. If it's not big, fat and red in the training plan, then... nothing happens for me.
Role model and change of perspective
BIKE: Which athlete impresses you - across all sports?
Nina Graf: Mikaela Shiffrin. Insanely consistent at the highest level, I find that impressive.
BIKE: Do you sometimes look towards the road?
Nina Graf: Yes, yes - but more as a fan. I have a lot of friends who are successful on the road. I like following them, but I'm not really interested in it myself.
Dreams beyond the race track
BIKE: What other sport would you like to be successful in?
Nina Graf: Biathlon - definitely!
BIKE: What's on your bucket list?
Nina Graf: Travelling without the stress of training. Maybe by bike, but without any commitments. Scandinavia and Canada really appeal to me - preferably in summer and Winter. I would also like to go on a mountain tour. And one day build my own house with my husband and expand our family.
Flow instead of risk
BIKE: What about bike park shredding?
Nina Graf: I love it! Above all, blasting down technical descents with lots of suspension travel. Unfortunately, I don't get enough of that during the season - the risk of injury is simply there.
Between perfection and mishaps
BIKE: What triggers you on the bike?
Nina Graf: Slipstreaming! My final opponent. It's either too slow or too fast - 99 per cent of the time it just doesn't work.
BIKE: Are you fussy about materials?
Nina Graf: The overall package has to be right. If one thing doesn't fit, everything immediately feels wrong. Although... I once rode a whole season with two different crank lengths - 170 mm on the left and 165 mm on the right. And I didn't notice. Still a mystery today.
Offline is the new luxury good
BIKE: What do you get stuck on when you scroll through Instagram?
Nina Graf: Sourdough bread. Again and again.
BIKE: You have turned your hobby into a profession - what is your balance?
Nina Graf: Baking and knitting. A total granny lifestyle - but perfect for switching off. And luckily, cycling is still a hobby for me too. My favourite: trails with friends.
Clear stance
BIKE: What is a red flag for you?
Nina Graf: Big mouth, nothing behind it.
BIKE: Your favourite series?
Nina Graf: House of money, Night Agent and Emily in Paris.
Dimitri Lehner
Editor
