News
Interview: Hanka Kupfernagel‘s return on the track
September 26 2011
about her goals for the cross season 2011 and her participation on the track
Kupfernagel‘s return on the track: It all began with a private bet
Hanka Kupfernagel is one of the most successful racing cyclists in the
world.
Four times the 37-year-old became world champion in cyclo-cross, one
time she was world champion in single time trial, then she became
Olympia’s second in street racing and an end ist not in sight. However,
at the beginning of her career she was very successful on the track. In
1991 Kupfernagel became junior world champion in scores and in 1992
junior world champion in single pursuit. She held the junior world
record about this distance for a long time. In addition the all-rounder
won the German championship in adult single pursuit in 1995. Kupfernagel
was last seen active on the road in 2004 when she qualified for the
world championships right away. But she failed to achieve Olympic
standards due to illness. Now she is taking part in German track
championships at Berlin’s Velodrome in the omnium discipline (combined
event of lap record driving, points race, heat, individual pursuit,
scratch, 500-meter time trial).
Here a short interview with the five times world champion Hanka
Kupfernagel about her goals for the cross season, her participation on
the track and why national coach Thomas Liese plays a major role in
Kupfernagel’s return to it.
Hanka, yesterday at the start of the cross season, you have won the
first race in Switzerland. How satisfied are you?
Answer: I have never started a cross season this early before. And
winning right away is very nice, of course. The competition was high
quality an the track very difficult.
Now that the cross season has begun what are your aims for this winter?
Answer: I would like to take part in all world cup races and most of the
big series‘ „Super Prestige“ and „GVA-Trophy“ races in Belgium. This
adds up to 25 races until the world cup. Nevertheless, I am still
negotiating with the organizers.
Next week you are on an excursion to new terrain, you start at the
German Omnium Championship on the track at Berlin’s Velodrome. How did
that arise?
Answer: It all began with a private bet. Now I want to see for myself
what is possible on the track.
What’s the background of your decision to take part in the German Omnium
Championship in Berlin?
Answer: This summer, I have started in a derny race on a track in
Heidenau and it was lots of fun. That made me remember national coach
Thomas Liese who asked me if I might want to return to the track some
time. And now would be a perfect time.
Have you prepared for it in a special way?
Answer: I have trained at the concrete tracks in Zurich several times
and my lap times over 3000 meters weren’t too bad. Time will see that
happens next on Friday and Saturday in Berlin.
You have not been nominated for the street world cup in Denmark by the
German Cyclist Alliance. Have you followed it anyway?
Answer: Yes, in contrast to last year I watched the races live. Nice to
see that some medals were won by cyclists of over 30 years.
What are your plans for the time after the German Omnium Championship?
Answer: On Monday I’m participating in the Charity Bike Cup close to
Stuttgart. Then I continue directly with the cross races. During October
the first world cup races in Pilsen and Tabor take place.
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