You were a cross-country racer through and through. How is it that you are now mutating into a downhill rider and freerider?
I loved cross-country and it was completely normal for me to train based on watts and heart rate alone. When almost all races were canceled in 2020, I once again simply allowed myself to go biking freely. Friends who mainly ride downhill took me with them and that's when I got my sleeve in pretty quickly.

@ralakupf jumps big drops and gaps

You became unfaithful to your sporting discipline. How did that feel?
I actually felt guilty about it. I would never have allowed myself to take the track before. But even as a cross-country athlete, I loved the downhill and was technically one of the best riders there.

Team and family partly coincide for you. How did those around you react to your reorientation?
My parents have supported me for ten years and my mother runs the team, which I am still a member of. It wasn't easy for them to accept that I was leaving cross-country racing - and it wasn't easy for me either. I am very grateful for her past and present support. It's not something to be taken for granted. I knew in my heart what I wanted much earlier. It took me a little longer to accept it myself

What have you given up by turning your back on cross-country racing?
The dream of the Olympics. I could only pursue that as a cross-country rider. But this loss is outweighed by the extreme technical progress I'm making. I used to be afraid of big jumps, but now I love them. The fact that I can now ride my bike with people and immerse myself in this new world also means a lot to me.

How close were you to qualifying for the Olympic Games?
It would have taken a lot more. In recent years, I've struggled to get my energy and power down to the ground, I've done a lot of strength training and sat on the racing bike a lot - more than on the bike. But when I set my mind to something, I usually achieve it. But the Olympics is no longer a goal.

What goals do you set yourself as a gravity rider?
As a cross-country rider, I had to give up a lot of things - including downhill biking because of the risk of injury - and I lost the joy of my sport in the process. I now want to avoid this at all costs. I don't want to put myself under pressure again, I want to enjoy it and see where it takes me.

So you could also become a slopestyler?
I really enjoy doing tricks, but I jump most of them on the airbag first. I'm currently focusing on downhill races, because that's where I've made the most progress.

Is the Downhill World Cup an issue for you?
Definitely. I'm riding smaller races now, and next year I should have collected enough UCI points this way to be able to compete in a World Cup. I also want to become more professional.

So it still doesn't bother you when a stopwatch is running?
No, I'm still a competitor.

With your stamina, you would be predestined for enduro races?
That's what everyone says. But I have much more fun on a downhill bike than on an enduro bike and I've ridden uphill enough in the last ten years. Besides, there are only really big jumps on the downhill trails.

You were at Crankwox in Innsbruck, one of the biggest events in the gravity sector. How was that?
It was mega cool. The top riders are so chilled, I didn't know that it was so easy to get into conversation with the best. Dual slalom was completely new to me, I didn't make it past qualifying, but it made me want to do more. Downhill went quite well, although it was only my second race in this discipline.

And what did you watch?
I was drooling at the whip-off contest, there were also a few women there. Maybe next year I'll be ready to sign up for that too.

What did you think of the slopestyle contest? Do you see yourself jumping features like that one day?
Of course it's a different kind of blatant. The dimensions, the rotations, it's really intense. And the guys ride everything on dirt bikes, so practically no suspension. I feel really comfortable on the downhill bike on the big jumps. I've only had a dirt bike since last fall and I haven't jumped anything big on it yet. Where I see myself more is in the speed and style contest. It's a cool combination with waves for pumping and two jumps where you have to perform tricks. The time and points for the tricks make up the score, some people ride dirt bikes, others ride enduro bikes.

@ralakupf dares to do something: Suicide No-hander

How about freeride contests where you can do tricks on your downhill bike?
Freeriding is great training for me and it's great fun. I don't have a plan as to which discipline I want to specialize in. I just follow my passion.

The Red Bull Rampage is coming up again soon. Are you going to watch it?
I've already watched a few videos. I used to think, like many others, that these guys were all tired of life. Today I see things differently. However, I also have to say that I don't like it when things go down vertically left and right. I once crashed in a bike park and I've had a bit of a block ever since. I'd rather take a big, big jump than ride in terrain where a mistake would be fatal.

While more and more women are riding in slopestyle and freeride contests, there are still very few of them. Do you want to motivate other women or do you just ride for yourself? I started doing it because I really enjoy it. But I think it's cool when there are more and more women who are also riding in the gravity sector. I'm happy when my videos and those of other female riders motivate the young ones.

Have you been following Red Bull Formation?
Yes, I've seen a few videos - pretty crazy what these women ride and jump.

Can you imagine riding and jumping in that kind of terrain in a year or two? Never say never. But I only started a year ago and still need to gain a lot of confidence on the bike. A lot of things happen in your head. I can only get the necessary self-confidence with a lot of time on the bike.
So, if someone asked me if I wanted to take part, I'd be up for it. Do you know where I can get in touch?

Backflip Time with @ralakupf