"As soon as we jump in the water we are all the same!". Interview with Christian Troger http://t.co/4d664zHY
| 14 February 2012
- Tell us how your career has been linked to the cycling as a former professional and how it changed now organizing high quality cycling and triathlon events...
I started with the cycling sport when I was 11. At the age of 12 I won my first races and became also Austrian champion. At the age of 16 I won my first races as a member of the Austria national team and in 1999 I started my career as a pro with team Gerolsteiner in Germany. I was a pro for the next 12 years and participated in many Tour de Frances and other big races all around the globes.
As a cyclist I was always interested how do`s the organization of big races works. I looked behind the curtain at every single race. It was interesting to see how different cycling races are organized. That was maybe also the reason I changed side after the end of my career in 2010. I started to work with StarEvents and was from now on involved into organization of cycling and triathlon events. I hope I can bring some of my experience from the past to our events. I know what cyclist and athletes are expecting and what they are asking for. I still think like a sportsman and this helps me to understand athletes who are participating at our events.
- What are the differences between RadMarathon and GranFondo World races and other cycling events?
In general there are big differences at every single event. It is not only the course what makes this difference. It is the organization in general. Every organizer is depending strongly on the support he gets from local city and officials. Road closure is a big issue at every Radmarathon or GranFondo. Support from police is super important too to guarantee safety for the participants and to deliver a high quality event. In general there is no difference between a Radmarathon or a Gran Fondo. It is just the name what is different. In Germany or Austria they call it Radmarathon in Italy or US it is a Gran Fondo. But the Kärnten Radmarathon in Bad Kleinkrichheim is indeed something special.
There are just a few cycling marathons which are organized on such a high level like this one. BKK has become a benchmark in Austia. The approval was the selection of the very famous bike magazine in Germany called “Tour” where the Kärnten Radmarathon was selected as one of the top3 cycling marathons in Austia. The team around General Manager Norbert Unterköfler is delivering the best event in the area with the biggest quality participants can get. Hotel packages made by the local tourism bureau are perfect, cyclists ride on a picturesque course across the Nockalmstrasse and famous lakes in Carinthia. And they can enjoy a perfect entertainment program during the whole weekend.
- Novelties for the 2012 edition:
There will be an incentive program for participants and especially sponsors on Friday 25th. People can ride and test the short course (65km) with a group of ca 60 people.
On Saturday we are going to have a VIP-timetrial in Bad Kleinkirchheim. Celebrities, well known sportsmen and sponsors will do a 10km loop in Bad Kleinkirchheim. After this event we will have a big dinner where we will collect money for charity reason. This evening will be supported by the Casino of Velden.
- What do you like most about the course of the RadMarathon?
It is the course which is unique. Starting smooth with a 15km flat section and then entering into one of the most gorgeous and selective climbs in Austria, the Nockalmstrasse. It is a 12km climb, sometimes steep but good to ride. From the top of the Nockalm you can enjoy a perfect view over Carinthia and it` mountains.
The climb is followed by a fast descent. At city of Spittal participants will ride along the Millstädtersee which is very well knows by many tourists from all over the world. It is just a perfect course!
- How is the most difficult point on the course?
Deffinitely the Nockalmstrasse. And the last climb from Radenthein to Bad Kleinkirchheim after 100k is not an easy one either.
- Could you tell us what was the most fun moment for you in the past RadMarathon editions?
I was escorting a guy who i training the months before the event. He was well prepared but he suffered already on the Nockalmstrasse at half of the course. I had a lot of discussions with him but he did the marathon in a time of 4 hours and 40min. never in my career I was so happy finishing a race like he did after he when he went over the finish line.
- What do you think about TriStar and these new formats/distances and its new approach to the world of triathlon?
It is a perfect format for those who are doing their first triathlon. 1k of swimming is nothing special, 100k of cycling is a challenge and the heart of the event. And 10k of running is something everybody can do if well prepared. It is a perfect format for cyclists who are thinking about participating in a triathlon. Many cyclist are doing a TriStar already (Marcel Wüst, Peter Luttenberger, Richie Port etc.) and many will follow. And the big advantage if TriStar is the distance: you can do many of TriStars during the season. That makes the format so sexy!
- Tell us about the growth of GranFondo World? What does mean for the US cyclist? it's a new fun spirit!
Cycling is becoming more popular from year to year. You can see it at the figures of participants at all the Gran Fondos and the Radmarathons in Austria and Germany. People like this sport and it is real fun to participate in events like this with tousends of riders. Especially in the US cycling is growing.
And people like to be a part of an event. Partially closed roads, a nice course and the pasta party are key elements. And people get a jersey on top. This is what cyclists like!
How do you see the future of TriStar and GranFondo World events?
Both formats have a big future. Endurance sports and fitness id already a big topic and it will become bigger in the future. But it is not only the course of TriStar and GranFondo World. It is the event what people like. As you see on figures of participants both formats are super popular. And they will grow for sure in the future.
