We recently had an interview with Velomotion national coach Ralf Grabsch, who gave us some interesting insights into his work. Among other things, we were able to talk to the ex-pro from Team Telekom about the current cycling situation in Germany and his work as national coach.
Hello Ralf, thank you for today's interview. We want to talk a little about your activities as national coach and the cycling situation in Germany. To begin with, in general, how does the national coach feel about German cycling?
Ralf Grabsch: Hello from my side too. Regarding your question: Of course you can clearly see that German cycling is currently undergoing a very positive development. The start of the Tour de France in Germany and the fact that there are again two German ProTour teams in Bora-Hansgrohe and Sunweb indicate a clear upward trend. In addition, a Germany tour is being planned for 2018, which would be another important step.
That all sounds very positive. Where is there still room for improvement or what do you wish for?
Ralf Grabsch: Of course it would be very important for there to be more races in Germany again. In the past, as a smaller German team, you hardly ever had to go abroad to compete. Now you have to look for races everywhere. This would give young drivers in particular more opportunities. In addition, there is currently no kind of springboard or transition station for young talents. We have a lot of continental teams in Germany and are also well positioned with the two WorldTour teams. However, there is a lack of a pro-continental team in which one can gain a foothold in order to be prepared for the WorldTour.
Last season you were very successful as national coach of the U23. With Marco Mathis as time trial world champion and the
Vice world champion title in the road race by Pascal Ackermann, the national team has set clear exclamation marks. Does the professional past help or does your own experience bother you in some places?
Ralf Grabsch: I can only speak for myself, but my experiences have consistently helped me. I knew exactly what we had to work on with the guys in preparation and how I had to get them in the mood. The racing past is of course a big advantage. I also train with the guys very often and can observe and assess them up close, which helps immensely. Maybe you should ask the drivers themselves how it is for them.
How have times changed, was it difficult or easy to become a professional in the past or today?
Ralf Grabsch: Basically, it's always difficult to judge something like that, because every era has its own characteristics. In the past, there was an extremely high level of performance in the junior and amateur sectors, and then there were a lot of drivers. Today there aren't that many drivers anymore and therefore fewer athletes who are on the road at a very high level. Basically, I would say that they are completely different times and it is therefore difficult to compare them. However, as you can see again and again, good performances are definitely rewarded and make it possible to jump into the WorldTour.
What does a successful racing driver have to have today?
Ralf Grabsch: Of course, as an athlete, no matter what sport, you have to have certain basic requirements. In my opinion, it is particularly important in cycling that the racer has a certain ability to torment and fight. This is the only way he will develop further and work hard on himself. I also think the psychological component is very important, not everything can always go as you wish in sport. Therefore, one should be able to handle failures as well as successes. It is very important to have fun, even as an ambitious U23 driver, this factor should still prevail, otherwise you will not be fully focused. I always try to pass that on to my boys.
Finally, do you have a name for us that could be the next German talent on the WorldTour?
Ralf Grabsch: Jan Tschernoster, who dominated the Radbundesliga last year, springs to mind. He wasn't that far internationally, but I'm sure he has everything that makes a good professional.