Interview Tobias Müller (EN)

 Interview Tobias Müller

Young, fast, victorious. That are three words to shortly describe Tobias Müller. The 21 years old rider received a chance in the development team of Intermarché-Wanty this year and he immediatly confirmed his potential. The 'High speed from Hagen' can follow in the footsteps of many German top sprinters before and will move up to the ProTeam level next year. In the colours of Unibet, he'll be able to learn from former Tour de France stage winner Dylan Groenewegen. In this interview he tells you more about his background, feelings and ambitions.

You've made a big step forward this season. What have you done differently this year?

Of course, I've made a relatively big step forward this year. But that's also because I've had a complete change of scenery. A new team, a new coach, new training structures. You also get older and your physical condition changes. I believe that teamwork and more professional teamwork have enabled me to take this step.

Next year you will be riding for Unibet. What role will you take on in your new team?

At Unibet next year, I will probably take on different roles. Of course, I will still be in the sprint train with Groenewegen. Perhaps I will also get my own chances in smaller professional races. Basically, it's about finding out what else is possible for me as a rider and where my limits lie. To develop physically and establish myself in the team. I believe that now I have a two-year contract, I don't have any stress when it comes to development.

What are your career goals?

In terms of my career, I naturally want to become a good professional. I always find it difficult to say that I want to win this or that race. I don't know where my limits are or where my journey will take me. But I think my overall goal is simply to become a good professional. Not a support rider, but a winner. That is my overall goal.

How did you get into cycling?

Through my parents, who were also semi-professional cyclists. My mother was a professional at the Olympic Games. I played football for a while, but basically my heart was in cycling. That's when I found my goal of becoming a professional.

What do you like best about this sport?

What I like best is actually the closeness to my idols. I also feel that in cycling, there are rivalries, of course, and it's very competitive, but in the end, it's all one big family and everyone knows everyone else. When you meet on the road, you just ride together. It's simply a very close-knit sport, and I really like that.

What do you find most difficult?

I would say that there isn't really anything that I find particularly difficult because I am really committed to the sport. Of course, there are things where you have to hold back compared to normal people. But for me, it has made me proud that I can do this sport.

That's why it's not a problem for me to take those steps. I wouldn't say there's anything that's extremely difficult for me or that I struggle with.

How will you spend the winter season?

In winter, I'll be spending a lot of time in Mallorca and Spain, mainly for training. Preparing for my first professional season. Getting through the winter, training a lot and laying the foundations for the next season.

What are your main interests outside of cycling?

My main interest outside of cycling is drinking coffee. I'm a coffee enthusiast, a bit of a home barista. I like to read up on it. I wouldn't say that I have anything else that I pursue intensely on the side. But I like to read up on or explore different topics. When I come across something I like, I try to find out more about it. But I don't really have any other purpose in life apart from cycling. These are more casual pursuits. But what I would call my hobby is coffee. I spend a lot of time making delicious coffee at home.