Background information
"Make me the gorilla!"
by Patrick Bardelli
Lucas Huppert - Mountain bike freerider
30.4.2019
Translation: machine translated
Pictures: Thomas Kunz
The Swiss shooting star of MTB freeriders lives in Zurich and trains at the Züritrails Jumppark, among other places. I meet Lucas Huppert there on a windy evening for a photo shoot. To greet me, the first thing he asks is: "Haven't you seen my email?"
Lucas Huppert is the Swiss mountain bike freerider of the moment. I meet the 19-year-old in Zurich's Kreis 3 district for a photo shoot. He trains there at the Züritrails Jumppark. To greet me, he asks if I haven't seen his e-mail. No, I haven't. So I quickly check it:
You can. But more on that later.
From 60 to 15
First, we sit down in a material container and chat about Lucas' career to date. He hit the ground running in 2018, winning his first gold event on the FMB World Tour and leaping up the world rankings from over 50. He is currently ranked 15th
.
This year you finished eighth at the most important event of 2019, the Crankworx in New Zealand, and are currently number 15 in the world and one of the shooting stars of the scene. How much has your life changed?
Lucas Huppert: At 16, you don't think about things too much. You just ride your bike. And have fun doing it. That's it. Today it's all about training planning, nutrition and things like that. I'm also doing an apprenticeship as an electrician. Everything is more structured there. So I'm living more consciously overall. I still go to the Burger King every now and then (he laughs).
How often do you train?
I'm usually on the bike from Thursday to Monday. I take a break on Tuesdays and Wednesdays. I used to ride every day. That was often too much and I was correspondingly tired. Today I listen to my body more. That's also something that has changed in the last two or three years.
(Too) much wind
Back to the wind. It's blowing so strongly over the ramps today that Lucas wouldn't actually ride. Too dangerous. He makes an exception for us. His buddy and coach Chris, who Lucas has known since he was twelve years old, also emphasises this. I feel a little queasy in the pit of my stomach. What if a gust of wind catches him and he injures himself while shooting? The "Swatch Rocket Air" is taking place in Thun this weekend. And the Swiss rider is of course one of the main attractions of the gold event. But my worries are unfounded. Lucas knows exactly how to assess the risk and how far he can go in these conditions. During one of his jumps, he quickly sticks his tongue out at the camera. Photographer Thomas Kunz, who is accompanying me, only sees this when he enlarges the picture. "Giel even has time to flirt with the camera during the jump," says the Bernese photographer, looking at the shot in amazement.
2018 was your year. You were also voted Red Bull "Rookie Of The Year" and are often on the road. You flew to Canada for this award, for example. How do you reconcile that with your apprenticeship?My teacher is extremely generous in this respect. When it comes to sport, he always gives me time off. He has also come to me and said: "Lucas, the weather is great and you have this important competition next week. Wouldn't you rather train the next two days?" Or in March, for example. I only found out 48 hours before the event that I'd been invited to the Crankworx in Roturua, New Zealand. That's not just round the corner either.
And your boss?
He simply said: "Of course you're going to New Zealand. It's a unique opportunity. You might only experience something like this once in your life." My mentor is really great in this respect. And yet I can't compare myself to a full professional who spends 40 hours a week on the bike.
This summer you'll finish your apprenticeship. What's next for you, what are your sporting goals?
That depends a lot on the sponsors. Or rather, on the question of whether I will receive further financial support by then. But the goal is certainly to ride the whole of next winter, learn new tricks and then fully attack in 2020. I would like to be able to make a living from my sport. Perhaps in conjunction with a small part-time job.
And how long do you see yourself flying over the jumps? The risk of injury is relatively high in your sport, isn't it?
Yes, you definitely need a plan B. I certainly won't do it until I retire. There are riders who are still on the tour after the age of 30. But they are definitely the exception. But I don't want to think too much about that just yet. I'm only 19.
And the girls?
At the end of the conversation, Chris speaks up again. I should ask Lucas about the groupies. Groupies? Lucas squirms. Yes, there already are. In certain countries you're popular as a rider, in others his sport is nothing special, it's just a bit of Veloele and anyone can do it. And he continues: "Well, how can I put it? Yes, there's always an after-party after a competition. I go to that too. And yes, you do occasionally get that "hang loose rock'n'roll feeling". But we are there primarily for the competition. So, yes ..." Chris stands in the background and grins. And I just say: a gentleman enjoys and keeps quiet.
Find out more about Lucas Huppert and the "Swatch Rocket Air" in Thun on Friday at Galaxus Sport and on Instagram. Want to stay in the saddle and not miss anything? Then follow my author profile here.
Patrick Bardelli
Senior Editor
Patrick.Bardelli@digitecgalaxus.chFrom radio journalist to product tester and storyteller, jogger to gravel bike novice and fitness enthusiast with barbells and dumbbells. I'm excited to see where the journey'll take me next.
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