Interview Romy Kasper

One of the best team mates in the peloton that also can ride good results by herself. She's been a part of the best teams in the world and she also represented her home nation Germany at the Olympics and multiple worldchampionships. She helped Lizzie Deignan and Chloe Hosking in the past and this season she'll be one of they key players for the classic campaign of Marianne Vos. What have been the most beautiful moments for the 32 years old rider so far? and how does she looks forward at her time with the brand new Jumbo-Visma women's team?

 

You've been a team mate of some of the best athletes in the sport. Which team victories did you enjoy the most?

That’s hard to say. I really enjoy every victory we have as a team and there is not ONE I would they it was the most special one. Sure all victories/podiums where we are on the podium with the whole team like in Team Time Trials are special.

You've managed also to ride some good results yourself in the flatter one day races, which of your own performances does give you your best memories?

Actually the most emotional one was my first pro win on the 2nd stage in Thuringen 2014. But also on my first Top 10 in a World Tour Race 2019 in Drenthe I have good memories. Another special one was my first international medal in the Europeans Derny 2019. Because after finishing the 10 days Giro, having two days rest before doing BeNe-Ladies Tour and afterwards going straight to the track and doing Europeans were not the ideal preparation

This year you're part of the brand new Jumbo-Visma team. What are the team's ambitions for this year?

Yes, I’m super proud on this and really looking forward to race in the Black and Yellow jersey. First for sure we need to get used of each other and grow as a team but then we have really ambitious goals and are of course chasing as much as possible victories and podium spots. But it’s not all about this year because we want to grow steady to the best team in the upcoming years and 2021 is just the start of it.

Which races are on your scheldule this year? What are your ambitions?

I will start with Nieuwsblad and will do the most of the spring classics. My ambitions for all the races are always to show my best possibly performance and go for the best possible result with the team. It doesn’t matter if I’m the team leader or somebody else is up for the result. For me every victory/podium is a TEAM victory.

You represented Germany at the Olympic Games in 2016. How did you experience this event?

It was a super special experience and I wouldn’t mind to experience it once more It’s hard to describe but it’s cool to “live” together in the athletes village with so many athletes of different sports and also be able to visit sports events of other sports, because usually at World or European championships you are only surrounded by cyclists.

What are your favourite races?

I really like the spring races and even if it sounds weird with real spring weather conditions. I don’t mind if it’s wet and cold and especially windy. A race I’m really looking forward is the first edition of Paris-Roubaix, even if I can imagine how hard and painful it will be.

You took part at 7 worldchampionships. How did you prepare for them? How isit to go for the victory with riders from your country instead of your usual team mates?

Usually there is no special preparation for the Worlds because with the team time trials in the past, most of the riders were preparing with their teams for the TTT. Means we didn’t have enough time to do a preparation with the National team. For me it’s always a big honour the ride for Germany and it also gives me extra motivation. It is indeed different to be team mates with riders who are the rest of the year your opponents, but we know each other pretty well and did already quiet a lot of races together. And also my mentality, to give everything for our leader, doesn’t change in these races.

What is your cycling wish for 2021?

That we as the “cycling bubble” can create a safe environment to have as much as possible races. Furthermore, that we, as Team Jumbo Visma women, have a great first season with a lot of fun on and off the bike. Podiums and victory will then come by themselves. The cherry on top for me personal would be to be selected for the Olympics and also going for a top performance at Worlds in Flanders.

Thanks for the interview Romy!