Interview with Georg Steinhauser: "I didn't expect the setbacks at the end of the season"

In the footsteps of father Tobias Steinhauser

As a professional cyclist, Georg Steinhauser is following in the footsteps of his father Tobias, who earned his money between 1996 and 2005 with Mapei, Gerolsteiner, Bianchi and Team T-Mobile, among others. However, Georg Steinhauser has mixed feelings about his first two professional years: Steinhauser rode at the front of the Tour of the Alps and the German classic Eschborn-Frankfurt, but had to end both seasons prematurely in August due to infections. This year, this cost him his Grand Tour debut at the Vuelta a Espana.

Nevertheless, he was given an early contract extension with Team EF Education EasyPost - for three years. A leap of faith for the 22-year-old with the American team. Before the team's training camp in Girona, Spain, Steinhauser looks back on the past two years and refers to his beginnings in skiing, how his father stayed out of his career, his well-known coach and the double burden of cycling and professional training.

Georg Steinhauser in a TOUR interview

TOUR: Mr Steinhauser, you enjoy skiing in your free time and grew up in the Allgäu. So a career in skiing would have been an obvious choice?

Georg Steinhauser: I actually used to ski race as a child. However, I soon found skiing off-piste more fun. So by the age of twelve or 13, I had already given up ski racing.

TOUR: So your father's influence on your family was too great?

Georg Steinhauser: My father always told me that as a child he could only have been a skier or a metalworker. And then he became a professional cyclist. He treated me with the same attitude. In principle, he didn't care what I did. And that was nice to experience. I tried skiing, mountain biking, climbing and football. I didn't switch to road cycling until I was 13 and joined a local club.

TOUR: When the children follow in their father's professional footsteps, fathers sometimes overdo it with well-intentioned advice - or so it is thought. How did that work for you?

Georg Steinhauser: My father always gave me a lot of freedom. I'm also very grateful for that. Of course, he also gave me tips and advice. But when we both realised that I could make it as a professional, I immediately had my own manager and tried to get on my feet myself. My father always says that cycling has changed so much that he can no longer have as much of a say.

Infection led to heart problems for Georg Steinhauser

TOUR: You have now also been a professional for two years. Did the first two years go as planned for you?

Georg Steinhauser: On the whole, I think so. I just didn't expect the two setbacks at the end of each season (Steinhauser had to end the season from August onwards with coronavirus infections; editor's note.). You have to come to terms with that first. If you fall ill one year and it drags on, that's the way it is. But if it happens again the next year, then you start to worry. This year, the infection also affected my heart a little. We then said in the team that I would take a break as a precaution. Fortunately, we found out early on. Everything is now back to normal with my heart. I feel good, fresh and recovered.

TOUR: The corona infection this year came shortly before the Vuelta a Espana, where you were supposed to make your Grand Tour debut. How long have you been struggling with it?

Georg Steinhauser: That was mentally tough. First the long build-up of form with the altitude training camp, then the anticipation of the first big tour - and then you drop out just before the finish. The disappointment was huge. I had to pull out of the Tour of Burgos in preparation (one week before the start of the Vuelta; editor's note.). And after the positive corona test, I was already aware that it would be difficult. A three-week tour is also an enormous strain. After a negative test, you might be able to manage a one-day race. But it doesn't make sense to keep going for three weeks in a row when you start the tour already weakened.

TOUR: Will it even be possible to watch the race on television?

Georg Steinhauser: I have to admit that I didn't follow the Vuelta like I did other tours. Simply because I often thought that I could have ridden it myself. That's more difficult to do.

A highlight was sixth place at Eschborn-Frankfurt

TOUR: What positive things have you taken away from your first two professional years?

Georg Steinhauser: Definitely the preparation phase for the Grand Tour. I saw my results and also felt that I was doing well, but unfortunately I wasn't able to show it. That still gives me confidence for the coming season. And I had a few good races, for example the Tour of the Alps in the spring (Second on the last stage; editor's note.) or Eschborn-Frankfurt (Sixth place; editor's note.). These were wonderful experiences that I will take with me.

TOUR: In your first year as a professional, you also completed a vocational training programme as a metalworker. Did you have any concerns about whether this would work - also in terms of teamwork?

Georg Steinhauser: My plan was actually to finish my training and then go pro. I would have completed my training in the third year of the U23s. I really didn't think that I would make the step up to professional football so quickly. There were several discussions with several teams - and it was quite interesting: some teams said straight away that it wasn't for them, while others thought it was cool and perhaps saw more potential in me because I was still working part-time. EF Education supported me right from the start. And I'm grateful that they gave me the time to complete my training.

TOUR: But how challenging was the double burden of training as a metalworker and being a professional cyclist?

Georg Steinhauser: When I look back now, I can't even imagine it anymore. You also quickly get used to sleeping longer in the morning and taking more time at breakfast (laughs). But once you get into the routine, it works. In principle, I always worked from 6.30 a.m. to 12.30 p.m. and then used the afternoon to train. You don't have that much free time. And the time before the exam was pretty stressful. I also had to study. But I simply had the goal of cycling in mind. I coordinated my vocational school with my racing commitments. I then passed the school timetable on to the team and it was then coordinated. I was also in the fortunate position that my school grades were always right.

Georg Steinhauser is trained by Michele Bartoli

TOUR: This year you have focussed completely on cycling. What differences have you noticed?

Georg Steinhauser: It was strange, especially at the beginning. I still have a lot of contact with my colleagues - and when they start work, that's when I get up. I had to realise that cycling is now my job, that I need enough sleep, that I do my training. I'm now much more involved in cycling, because it's not just about training, but also about nutrition and regeneration. I have definitely taken a step forward in terms of performance. You can see it in the figures. But I was hoping that it would show more in the races.

TOUR: Your personal trainer is Michele Bartoli. A great classic hunter around the turn of the millennium. How did that come about?

Georg Steinhauser: My father and Michele are good friends. We used to visit him in Tuscany all the time. In the U17 and U19, I also raced in Tuscany and then travelled with my father and Michele. I've been training with him since my second year in the U19s. The good thing is that Michele coaches several riders at EF Education. That's why I didn't have to change coaches. Although he is not employed, he works with the team.

TOUR: Was it foreseeable early on that you would extend your contract with EF Education?

Georg Steinhauser: Before the Tour of the Alps and Eschborn-Frankfurt in the spring, it was already clear that the team wanted to extend my contract. That was great for me. As a rider, it's nice to realise that a team has confidence in you so early on, even if you haven't had any successes yet - and wants to extend your contract for three years. That felt good.

Hopes of starting at the Giro d'Italia

TOUR: Do you and the team already have a feeling for what type of rider you are?

Georg Steinhauser: I can't really say yet. I'll have to wait until I've ridden the first Grand Tour. It's important for me to tick this off to see whether it will take me another step forwards. But it's not difficult to recognise that my strengths don't lie in sprinting. I'm more suited to a more aggressive riding style, in leading groups, plus longer mountains and tours. I think I'll get my chances in the team. But I also know that I'll have to help out. But I can cope with that.

TOUR: Is there a kind of mentor for you in the team?

Georg Steinhauser: Nobody has been assigned to me yet. But I listen with interest to the conversations around the table and pick up on what I need - for example Esteban Chaves, Michael Valgren or Jens Keukeleire so far. Sometimes it's also information from the mechanic or physio that makes me think: this will help me. It's the same with the sports directors. I also have to say that at the beginning Jonas Rutsch and Stefan Bissegger have been very well received by the team.

TOUR: Is a new attempt at a Grand Tour planned for 2024?

Georg Steinhauser: I think so. But I can't confirm it yet. The race programme won't be discussed until December. It would definitely be my wish. I would like to ride the Giro d'Italia, Italy, I like that.