Dominik, you started out as a cross-country rider in 1995, where you regularly battled it out with Nino Schurter in the lower junior classes - often to your advantage. Why did you switch camps?
Gspan: I was always more interested in the technical side of things than in fast legs. In addition, I was riding BMX at the same time and was also able to practice bike trials with Roger Keller, the multiple Swiss trials champion. Thanks to Claudio Caluori, I soon tried my hand at dual slalom. Soon afterwards, all these cycling sports together became too much. So I opted for the more action-packed dual slalom, from which the step into downhill racing was the logical consequence.

In downhill, you have worked your way up step by step and your career has outlasted many a "super talent". Why have you progressed further than many of your colleagues?
I was always very consistent and also trained a lot for it. I was always very goal-oriented, perhaps often more professional than others, but also more serious. That's just part of my character. What's more, I'm a very technical rider and have always felt particularly comfortable on difficult tracks.

Did you perhaps miss an exploit because of this consistency?
Not necessarily. I've had one major injury or another over the years - that leaves its mark. That's why I no longer took all the risks that would have been necessary. Others were perhaps able to risk more on day X.

You were on the verge of breaking into the top 20 in the Downhill World Cup in 2007. Why did it stay at individual results?
What many people don't know is that in 2008 - after my high in 2007 - I had a lot of bad crashes in succession with a few concussions. That set me back again and again, which also led to a certain insecurity. As a result, I cut back in the Downhill World Cup. I practically only concentrated on the European Cup races. I regained my confidence there and these races were also more exciting for me personally in terms of the routes. The courses in the World Cup have become easier, while those in the European Cup have become more and more challenging.

Why did you retire from the 4x when you were very successful?
Downhill is more versatile in terms of training. That appealed to me more in the long run than training hundreds of starts, which are almost the most important thing in 4x. There was also the time aspect, because training for the downhill and 4X races at the World Cup races became too stressful for me.

Throughout your sporting career, you rode for the ewz-mountainbiketeam loop, which your father Othmar founded in his day. Were you always happy with this solution or would you have got further in your sport if you had been able to ride for an international team at the decisive moment? I don't think so. I am also proud of the fact that I have been able to grow with the team and all our sponsors over 13 years. I was always very satisfied and I am sure that I would not have been better served elsewhere. With our team, I particularly benefited from the flexibility that I certainly wouldn't have had with international teams.

Your resignation comes as a surprise to most of us - probably less so for you. How long has this step been a foregone conclusion?
I haven't known that long myself. But I started thinking about it a few years ago - but never in concrete terms. I've known for sure since this summer, after giving this step careful consideration. It's not an easy step to take. I was able to live my dream and that's why it's not easy to end this dream after such a long time. Nevertheless, it's time to move on and open a new chapter. Besides, 20 is a nice year to end your career, isn't it?

With your victory at the iXS Downhill Cup in Bellwald, you probably couldn't have had a better end to your career. Did you expect that?
To be honest, I didn't, but I knew that I could win. In the timed runs and the race, I rode more relaxed and at ease than ever before. Probably because I knew it was my last race. It's simply brilliant to leave the racing stage with a victory. It also makes it easier to say goodbye.

You now have 20 years of mountain bike racing under your belt and therefore a lot of experience. Do you want to use this experience in some way in the future, i.e. get involved in the downhill scene?
On the one hand I would like to, but on the other hand I have already been involved with the ewz-mountainbiketeam loop for the last few years and would like to have time for myself to do other things again. So I can't say yet what will happen there.

What's next for you professionally?
Everything is still up in the air here too. I don't know whether I'll go back to the profession I learned as a mediamatician. In any case, I have some interesting projects in the back of my mind that I would like to implement. But I don't want to say any more about them yet.

RAD - the film by Dominik Gspan

A brief look back at Dominik Gspan's sporting career

In the spring of 1995, Dominik Gspan took part in a cross-country race for the first time. It quickly became clear that he was fascinated by cycling. Over the years, he has competed in a total of eight disciplines: BMX, trials, cyclocross, road, cross country, dual slalom, 4X and downhill. Countless podium places, including a bronze medal at the European Championships in Greece, several medals at the Swiss Championships and victory in his very last competition two weeks ago in Bellwald have rewarded Gspan for all his hours of training.

Dominik Gspan's career is characterized by his versatility. Over the years, he has always been able to learn new things and develop further. As an athlete, coach, team mechanic, course builder, video producer and most recently as team manager of ewz-mountainbiketeam loop, the Freiensteiner has had the opportunity to put all his talents to good use. During his career, Gspan has come to know and appreciate great people and friends all over the world. Contacts that he wants to build on in the future without the "stress of competition".

Dominik Gspan would like to thank everyone who has supported him along the way: The Fighters Wallisellen club, ewz-mountainbiketeam loop and its sponsors, who have supported the team for 13 years. Gspan would also like to express his special thanks to his family and friends, who have supported him with great dedication over the years. Gspan wishes all the young up-and-coming athletes the same passion, fun and success that he himself has experienced in mountain biking over the past 20 years.

www.dominikgspan.ch