Third Time’s the Charm: Robin Gemperle’s TCR Victory

How did your approach to this year’s race compare to that from years past? 

For this year’s race, it was very clear that I would be capable of racing at the front, whereas last year I was more or less hoping that I could keep up. I had some idea that it should be possible, but this year it was clear that if I say I want to go for the win, it’s not just something I’m saying but something that is actually possible. So, that changed a lot about how I started the race—with way more determination and fewer excuses. In terms of training and preparation, I’ve now been training semi-professionally for two and a half years instead of the one and a half years for the last race, and of course this changes a lot. Other than that, I would say I just made sure to have every question answered before the race, whereas last year I was maybe a bit more relaxed in this area: “How do I get to a hotel?  How do I unpack my stuff at the hotel? What does my shopping routine look like? ” This year, these questions were all answered and clear from the beginning. 

What were the biggest highs and lows you experienced along the way? 

There were no massive lows, I would say. But one low was my knee. It didn’t devolve to the point where I felt like, “now I’m completely at the bottom.” But at the very good, high moments, I still always had an issue with my knee; it just hurt. If it hadn’t been the Transcontinental, the highlight of my season, I probably would have scratched in most other races. But I had to say, “No, this is not going to fuck up my race.” I didn’t allow it to. So, that was a continuous low, whereas the entire ride was a continuous high. 

What kept you moving forward throughout the race? 

It helped having a clear goal. I wasn’t so interested in having nice experiences or enjoying the nice landscapes while crossing the continent. Of course, that’s an aspect of the race, but this was my third attempt. I’d already had those nice experiences two times before. This attempt was really about sport—about winning, for sure. So, then there’s no question of whether you should continue or not. Only, “Do you want to reach your goal?” If so, you just go for as long as you can.

What was your best sleep? 

Best sleep was actually outside. I slept in a field in Croatia. I laid out my sleeping bag next to the road I was riding. The field was soft, almost like a mattress. And it was, like, romantic, with stars—super quiet. Just a really nice sleep outside. 

And the worst? 

The first nights, I slept in hotels, and the last nights, I slept outside. Both ways were totally fine. You know what you get when you sleep inside, and you know what you get when you sleep outside. 

Favorite meals? 

I always drink Ayran, which is basically yogurt, water, and salt. You can get it at every kebab shop in the whole world. I also had one proper-ish meal. When I bought the new sunglasses, I went to a restaurant nearby, since I was already there. I had a cheese soup. This was super nice, and it’s something I want to include in my future strategy. You forget how much a proper meal helps—it’s something that can make you faster. 

How are you relaxing or celebrating after your win? 

Celebrating, maybe tonight. A friend of mine gave me a six-liter bottle of champagne after I won Atlas, so I think we’ll be drinking that with some friends tonight. I think we’ll finish that, for sure. 

Favorite piece of kit?

I didn’t have to use it that much, but I really love the Element Rain Jacket. And I’m really glad I took the lighter Odyssey Jersey this time. For the higher temperatures, it made more sense. And the gloves—they saved my life.