Bikes, mud and rock'n'roll

Lisi Osl’s bike is made of carbon, her will of iron and her dreams of precious metal. From the EC, taking place from May 16 to 18 in Germany, the 22-year-old cross-country cyclist from Austria is hoping for a top placing – and a ticket to Beijing.

Does this quote say anything to you: “Come to believe that I better not leave before I get my chance to ride?

Hmm, it was a bit quick ...

It’s from ‘Snow’, a current song by your favorite band the Red Hot Chili Peppers, and seems reminiscent of your situation right now. How definite is it that you’ll get your ‘chance to ride’ in Beijing?

Let’s just say that I’m optimistic. I’ve delivered a B limit already. The Austrian Olympic Committee could let me take part. But I’ll only have a definite place in the team if the EC goes well for me.

How well does the EC course in St. Wendel fair with your preference for difficult tracks?

I’ve heard that it’s supposed to be very challenging. But that isn’t so important. If you have a good day, you’re good on any course.

At the season opener in Houffalize, Belgium, you came 11th; at the second race in Offenburg, Germany, you were amongst the top ten. What more is lacking for you to be able to get onto the podium?

Firstly, a few years of experience. My main opponents are all a bit older than me, and in an endurance sport that plays a big role.

Have you got any weaknesses that you can eliminate at short notice?

My greatest weakness is the beginning phase. At the last race I placed 53rd after the first round – the many overtaking maneuvers cost an amazing amount of energy because, of course, nobody likes to give you free space.

So the approach for the beginning phase would go something like this: less politeness and more use of elbows?

It’s not really about that. I have to become more explosive so that I can tap into my power right from the first moment instead of being so slow to get revved up.

Seeing we talked about the Red Hot Chili Peppers before: How rock’n’roll is the life of a cross-country biker?

Not much at all. If a downhiller would party away on the night before a contest it wouldn’t have much influence on their performance. But if I did that I wouldn’t even need to go to the starting line. During the whole competition season I make sure I get enough sleep and healthy nourishment. Cakes and chocolate are taboo.

How can a layperson imagine your training: A different bike excursion into Kitzbühel’s wonderful nature every day – or strictly planned fulfillment of determined pulse and lactate values on the same courses all the time?

Variety is important, but I don’t have time for pleasant bike tours through the mountains until autumn after the competition season. I generally try to keep to my interval training strictly and in a disciplined way. In spring I do a lot of distance training to strengthen my stamina. Between the races short and intensive units – and an awful lot on the road bike because training is easier to plan with that.

Outside the weather is appalling; the temperatures are as low as the slush in the forest is deep. What trick do you have that motivates you to go out despite all that?

When I’m riding through the forest I don’t mind the rain at all. What I don’t like is when there’s a four- or five-hour tour on the road planned. Then I’d rather train indoors on the roller rather than risk getting a cold.