The World Track Cycling Championships take place in Berlin from Wednesday to Sunday. The German team starts with some medal candidates. The title fights are used to determine the location of the Olympics.
Berlin (dpa) - A revitalized four-wheeler, a world champion duo with the chance of a historic triple and young sprinters who want to build on the Kristina Vogel era.
At the World Track Cycling Championships in Berlin from Wednesday to Sunday, the German team entered the competitions with a few medal hopes. Roger Kluge and Theo Reinhardt at Madison have the best chances of their third World Cup win in a row.
The German four-wheeler is aiming for a German record and the first World Cup medal since 2002. "But the big goal remains Olympics," said national coach Sven Meyer. The home World Cup should give the necessary tailwind, as it did with the German sprinters, who were able to close the gap a little after the successful duo Vogel / Miriam Welte left.
In which disciplines does the German team have the best medal chances?
The biggest contenders for the title include Roger Kluge and Theo Reinhardt at Madison. The duo had already won the World Cup title in 2018 and 2019 and could do something historic with another success. Despite their young age, the German sprinters Emma Hinze (22) and Lea Sophie Friedrich (20) also performed well in the World Cups. In the endurance area, the German four - both men and women - are now medal candidates. Both teams set German records this winter.
Which disciplines are currently worrying at BDR?
In the team sprint - a German domain for many years - the team of national coach Detlef Uibel is currently not among the world's best. Maximilian Levy and Stefan Bötticher showed strong performances this season, but there was no strong rider. For the German team sprinters it is primarily about securing the Olympic qualification.
How important is the World Cup?
At a home World Cup, the German team naturally wants to present themselves strongly. Nevertheless, the Olympic Games have top priority, as the national coaches Uibel and Meyer emphasize. "It is dangerous to screw up the euphoria so much that you can no longer rise to the Olympics," says Uibel, referring to 2016. Back then, there was no medal, especially in the men's division, after a strong World Cup at the Olympics. Four-man boss Sven Meyer also let it be known that the team is still saving a lot for Tokyo, especially in terms of material.
What is Kristina Vogel doing during the World Cup?
The paraplegic world champion paraplegic after her bad accident should not be missing, of course. Vogel works as a World Cup ambassador and as an expert at ZDF and the in-house channel of the world association UCI. She is also available with help and advice. Sprinter Friedrich in particular gets tips from Vogel.
Where do you drive?
A few years ago, a new train was set up in the Velodrom on Landsberger Allee. After the European Championship 2017, the World Cup 2018 and the German Championship 2019, the World Championships are now taking place in Berlin for the first time since 1999. The city sponsored the World Cup with two million euros. Interior Senator Andreas Geisel speaks economically of "a good deal".
Will there be more spectators this time than at the European Championship or the World Cup?
Yes. In the weeks before the World Cup, ticket sales skyrocketed. The organizers are expecting a full hall, especially on Saturday and Sunday.
How can the World Cup be seen on TV?
The title fights can be seen live in the Eurosport2 payment offer. On the final day, ZDF will also be broadcasting with a live stream. The world association UCI reports on its own channel from the World Cup.
Homepage Track Cycling World Cup
BDR website
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