photo by Kevin Dillard

Next up in our featured athlete interview series is Leif Lampater.  The German track star made his first appearance at our race last year, and was the other half of the duo that rode away from the pro field for pretty much the entire race.  Leif is an accomplished racer on the track, with the following palmares under his belt:

6 Pro-Sixday wins
4 Track Worldcup Wins, Madison and Team Pursuit
German Madison Champion
2nd Harlem Skyscraper Criterium 2010

 

He’ll be back this year facing off against his fellow European teammates as well as a hungry-for-redemption field full of local talent.  Leif took a few minutes to answer a few questions for us.   Thanks Leif!

 

CJ: What bike do you ride?
Leif Lampater: I ride a Fuji Altamira 1.0 on the road. And a Fuji Track LTD on the track.

CJ: What’s your favorite ride?
LL: My favourite ride is a 120km loop through the bavarian alps from Tegernsee to Spitzingsee.

CJ: what do you always carry on a ride?
LL: My iPhone

CJ: What’s your favorite post-race food?
LL: Actually just pasta, usually bolognese.

CJ: What’s next?
LL: Start playing L.A. Noire from Rockstar, when they give it to me. (Next race after NY: Fiorenzuola Sixdays/Italy)

CJ: How is the effort of a 6-Day race different that the effort of a six day long stage race? Which is harder?
LL: A sixday race has a lot of shorter races which definately are more intense than a stage on the road. I think in both kind of races you can ride yourself out.

CJ: What are the qualities that make up a champion 6-Day rider?
LL: It is a combination of being a good sprinter, but you also need the motor to keep going when it is necessary.

CJ: What do you think of the new Harlem Race Format (omnium)?
LL: I think it’s gonna be fun!

CJ: Why have you come back to Harlem?
LL: Because after second there is one spot more on the top ;-)