As a continuation of my little series today, an interview with Andreas Dreitz, the young professional from the Erdinger triathlon team.
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| Andi at the last league competition in Nuremberg |
Due to his numerous victories in previously smaller races (including three times the well-known Rothsee Triathlon), he has already earned a certain popularity, especially in southern Germany. Andi has only been practicing triathlons for 4 years, but despite this relatively short time he is a very good and balanced athlete, and armed with a steam hammer on his bike. There seems to be something in the drinking water of Lichtenfels that causes strong cycling. Not only And I, also Frank Neumann And not to forget Captain Chaos (Steffen Alex) come from the town on Staffelberg and Banz Monastery.
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| Victory at the Rothsee Triathlon 2012 |
At the beginning of this year he switched to the professional field, and I should know, after all, he used my credit card to pay for the Ironman professional license. But I can reassure you, he has paid it back in the meantime and I can fill my fridge up again 😉 Here are a few questions for him, how the first professional season went from his point of view:
Editorial team (hereinafter abbreviated as krelli): Hey Andi, first of all, congratulations on your 4th place at IM 70.3 Zell am See a few weeks ago. Great job!
Andreas (in the following abbreviated as Andi): Thanks, it was a really good race. Was a bit of a surprise after the debacle in Wiesbaden.
krelli: How has it been for you so far in your first professional season?
And I: So it was a colorful mix of joys, but also disappointments. I learned a lot in the process and will change a few things in the next season. For one thing, I was unlucky sometimes. At the start of the IM 70.3 Mallorca I had a flat tire, which I was fortunate to be able to fix very quickly thanks to Swen Sundberg, and I also got blisters while running. At the IM 70.3 Switzerland I was disqualified after 30km because the package fell off the bar I had just eaten while driving. Shortly before IM 70.3 Germany, I had a fall and my head wasn't as free as I usually am during the race. Especially on the descents. On the other hand, I had great races at the Chiemsee, where I was only just beaten by Dirk Bockel and also the said IM 70.3 Zell am See.
krelli: In your opinion, what has changed compared to last year when you started out as an amateur? Except that you're starting to need a credit card!
And I: haha, how long will you hold that against me. On the one hand, the focus is now much more on the IM 70.3 races than before. The short distances suffer a little from that, and sometimes I don't open up completely fresh. And on the other hand, the situation as a professional at the races is different. I used to go to races and wanted to annoy the professionals, and now I'm one myself. As a result, the hustle and bustle and the obligations are of course also greater. I made a few more mistakes this season, that from time to time I simply had too much respect for the established sizes or that sometimes I was just too impatient. When I got out of the water 2 minutes from the tip and after 30km on the bike I didn't catch up with the lead, I was frustrated. That will all change in the future and I will be more relaxed in the races again. In the meantime I know what I can do on a good day and don't have to worry about five people overtaking me while I'm running, etc.
krelli: all you really need to do is stick to one rule: Rock`n Roll !! The rest will come by itself 🙂 What are you planning to do in the near future and will your focus always remain on the 70.3 distance?
And I: In the next 1-2 years I want to establish myself in the middle distance and regularly land on the podium. I'm also considering a start at the 70.3 World Championships in Las Vegas because the bike course suits me very well. In addition, I would like to do the long distance. I know where I can find the right coach for this 😉 However, I will take my time with this step. At 23 years old, I am still very young and have a few years ahead of me in which I can work on my speed.
krelli: All right, good luck and good luck, I keep my fingers crossed!
More information about Andreas Dreitz on his homepage: www.andreas-dreitz.de
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If you want a few tips from Andi to get the kind of wheel pressure that all wheel chains far and wide are afraid of, I can only say mine new book recommend. It will be published by spomedis Verlag in November and in it I will describe some of Andi's favorite units. You can also order it directly from me. Then you will get it before the official start of sales. Just go to my homepage for that www.michael-krell.com Send the non-binding pre-order.