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Manfred Reis: "I want to learn from the top stars."

 

The German exceptional talent Manfred Reis will ride for the FELT ÖTZTAL X-BIONIC World Cup Team for the next three years. The 19-year old discussed his transfer with the PR manager Heiko Rudolf from Scheiderbauer Sports.

 

 

1.    

At the German U23-National Championships you surprised the mountain bike scene by winning the gold medal. Would you say that this was your breakthrough?

Yes I think so. With the U23 title I have shown that I have potential, and that with my young age already belong to the German top. Nevertheless, I must confirm my performance now and continue to improve in the coming years.


2.    

You first made the decision to pursue your mountain bike career in 2005. Was mountain biking always your number one sport? 

Like most young guys I grew up playing soccer. Eventually I had to decide on one sport, the choice fell on the mountain biking. Here are the prospects were simply better. Now I am of course happy with my decision.


3.    

In the FELT ÖTZTAL X-BIONIC Worldcup Team you will ride alongside the Austrian U23-National Champion Simon Scheiber. What do you expect from your new team?  

With my 19 years I'm still two years younger than Simon. Being the youngest in the team I can definitely learn from Simon and the other riders. I want to learn from the top riders. This is a perfect opportunity for me to develop as a rider.     


4.    

Do you have any doubts that everything has gone so fast in your development as a rider?

No, I´m not afraid. I know that I am in good hands here. The professional team management has extensive experience with young athletes and aims to lead me gently to the top of the mountain bike sport. I am looking forward to the new challenge. I have enough time.


5.    

What are your goals in 2010? Do you think you can defend your national title?  

That is of course my focus however it is never easy. The competition is very strong and now all eyes are on me. I will certainly give it my best to reach the top of my sport both nationally and internationally. I want to mix it with the best in the U23 National series, and finish under the top 20 at the U23 European and World Championships.

6.    

Let us look further into the future. You are at the beginning of your career. What are your long-term goals?

I still have 4 years in the U23 category, before I am classified in the Elite rankings. I would like to improve myself constantly and continually towards the best in the world. In the long-term I want to establish myself in the Elite category and achieve good World Cup results.   My big dream is to participate in the Olympic Games, without wishing to commit myself as to a specific year.  


7.  

After completing high school you learned to be a skilled Baker. This means getting up early, what does your normal day look like?  

 

That depends very much on my training plan. On extreme days I go to the gym at night between 11 p.m. and 1 a.m. before starting work at 1 a.m. until 10 a.m. in the bakery, followed by a training session on the bike, before I put my head down. That is very stressful, but allows me to pursue my training.