I’m a little bit surprised, but not much has changed. My daily routine, my training program. Since my time in the U23, my life has been organized around cycling. Of course, the structures in a professional team are different.

Shortly after I started cycling when I was 8 years old, I envisioned becoming a professional cyclist.

My wish for the future is mostly stable health, and that my dreams in athletics come true.

I like to keep expectations and demands low, but my desire is intense. I would therefore be pleased to simply win a professional race. If that happens, I can start to think further.

I like to spend time with friends and family in beautiful places where I can relax. This can also be anywhere on the water in Berlin.

Clearly, my overall win of the Tour Alsace 2013.

I am very disciplined.

To me, family means always having a place of refuge. In good times, but even if things don’t work so well. The family, those are my roots. I know where I come from. I think that’s very important, because it gives me a basic faith in myself and my life.

After a win, I feel the satisfaction and confirmation that I did everything correctly. After a defeat, of course I am disappointed, but also motivated to do better next time.

No. And yet I try to learn from the experience and lives of others. The idols of my early days, they come from a different era of cycling with lots of scandals and disappointments. That is why they are no longer role models for me. It’s a pity.

Cycling in the past was a beautiful show for me as a child and teenager; but it turned out to be fraud. I would not accuse anybody. I’m glad that I wasn’t an active rider then. The current state of affairs is cause for hope. As for the future of our sport – it will hopefully be characterized by greater honesty and arouse much interest among fans and viewers. I’ll try to contribute my part.

It’s so simple that I can say it in one sentence. Watch TV or go to the movies. This is perfect relaxation for me.