Getting to Know Johannes Fischbach

JOHANNES FISCHBACH

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Johannes Fischbach, or 'Fischi' as he is more affectionately known, is one of the fastest downhill racers to ever come out of Germany. A country which doesn't just like mountain biking, but loves it with an insatiable appetite that's hard to fathom without seeing it for yourself. Yet with one of the largest mountain bikes scenes in the world, it is, however, surprising that they're aren't more riders with the speed and pedigree of Fischi. With a career in mountain bike racing that has seen him compete at the highest level in a multitude of disciplines, Fischi's skill and determination are hard to fault, so much so that we'd put money on seeing more pinned Germans following in his footsteps very soon...




Who is Johannes Fischbach?
I'm a guy who started with cross country racing at the age of 6. From there I was racing nearly every weekend until I was 15. But then I had to start work because my parents didn't really have the money to travel with me all over Europe to all the races. But after half a year of working and training full time, it was all too much for me so I quit. But after half a year without biking, I really wanted to get back on the bike, so I bought a dirt jump bike on eBay. I was just jumping around in my village and having a lot of fun. From there, I entered a little dual slalom race and finished second in the elite class. So I started racing again, focussing on dual and 4X races in Germany. Then in 2005 I did my first 4X World Cup in Vigo, Spain. From there I tried to be as professional as possible and some years later, I had my first World Cup podium. I tried hard to become a rider who was constantly in the finals but the UCI just quit with the 4X Worldcup. From then on I have been trying my best in the Downhill World Cup.


Where are you from and where do you live?
I'm from Pleussen, which is a relatively big village with a population of about 500 and situated in the north of Bavaria close to the Czech border. I bought an old farm close by about three years ago where I now live and train.


Who do you ride for?
I ride for the Radon Magura Factory Team. I also have great support from Lifefood.




Where are you happiest?
When I'm with my best friends it can be everywhere. But I also really like to be at home.


What’s been your favourite race venue?
I think it was the Vigo (Spain) World Cup in 2007. The track was just awesome and I love it to be near to the sea.


Where are your favourite trails?
I don't have a favourite trails area. I just like mix things up and to ride everywhere.




What are your strengths?
I'm from a cross country racing background, so I'm not scared to train hard!


What are your weaknesses?
Sometimes I have problems in really steep section. Maybe it's because I'm scared about height, but I'm working on it...


What’s been your worst crash over the years?
It was on a photo shoot a while back and it was really early in the morning and really cold. I went down a fast and rocky trail and unbeknown to me, there was ice on the track and I couldn't do anything... I crashed hard on a rock and gashed my knee pretty badly. So bad that I had to stay in hospital, for 3 weeks...




What’s been your luckiest escape?
Wow... there's been so many and not just in biking. Maybe too many to talk about and mostly doing stupid things...


What bikes are you riding right now?
For downhill, I have the Radon Swoop 200, the Radon Slide 160 for enduro, a Radon Spire Carbon roadie and for riding to the Ice cream parlor bike, my Radon Skill, which is also my most used bike... haha!


Who’s your favourite rider?

I have always looked up to Jared Graves. I don't like Enduro too much, but he´s still an animal. I don't know anybody who works as hard as he does and could be as successful in all the disciplines he did (4X, BMX, Downhill) - he is one of the best if not the best, all round rider in the world. That's unreal!




What do you enjoy doing away from bikes?
Having a good party with friends, working on my farm and going to restaurants as I like good food!


What are you listening to right now?
Ha, that's hard to say... It depends on how I feel. I'm really enjoying lots of 80's rap and electronic stuff right now.


What’s your favourite movie/ TV show?
I don't like to watch that many movies, but Hangover is just so good, haha!




What’s your favourite non-bike website?
I quite like the Financial Times... It's not the most exciting but I think it's interesting.


What’s your favourite motto or saying?
"Life is hard!" But I always say it for fun or in a funny way...


What grinds your gears?
When a plan doesn't work out.




What makes you happy?
Having a good breakfast with good coffee. And for sure, warm and sunny weather too.


If you weren’t a pro mountain biker, what would you be doing?
I would spend the millions that I won on the lottery on girls, parties, and travelling... but mountain biking is pretty good as well.


If you were in charge of the sport, what changes would you make?
I think it would be great to have bigger jumps on the race tracks. With the bikes we have now, it's possible to jump 25-30 meters. They wouldn't have to be steep or tricky jumps, just big doubles or tables... It would look so good. Or what would be great too is to have something like short supercross sections in our tracks where you can jump different rhythm sections. On the motorway section in Fort William or Leogang, you could build so much great stuff...




When you hang up your racing/ riding shoes, how do you want to be remembered?
Just as a nice guy who always had fun!


What does the future hold for Johannes Fischbach?
The Lottery thing would be great, haha, But I think there will be many good times on the bikes in the next few years... I'm looking forward to what the future brings!

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MENTIONS: @RADON-BIKES / @Magura / @iXSsports / @schwalbe

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