Of course, when Franziska Koch is mentioned, most people think of her victory in Paris-Roubaix. Her success in the Hell of the North is a sensation, just like John Degenkolb's victory in 2015. Even before her great successes, the experts were unanimous: this is a really good rider getting into her stride. But as is often the case, all the fuss can be for nothing. But not with "Franzi" Koch. And even apart from her victory in what is probably the most prestigious one-day race in cycling, Koch can almost always be found at the front of the field these days.
Franziska Koch - Captain and helper
After her third place at Strade Bianche, it was clear early on that Franziska Koch was in really good form. A few weeks later, she showed her full potential and won the sprint against the greatest of all time, Marianne Vos. A victory that she could hardly have dreamed of herself. But even when Koch is not in the role of captain, but is on the road as a helper for Demi Vollering or Juliette Berthet, she can almost always be seen at the front of the peloton. In breakaways, she is usually the first rider to follow, often takes the lead and helps her team wherever she can. She does exactly what makes a true all-rounder.
Freedom for stage hunting
But the 25-year-old also gets her freedom in tours. This can currently be seen at the Tour of Spain, where she was only beaten by the strong Noemi Rüegg and Lotte Kopecky on the first stage. On the second stage, she even took second place in a similar finale. If a stage profile suits her, she can ride to victory. An appreciation from the team for her strong performance and not least thanks to her successful classics season. How does the team benefit? An even more motivated rider who has no problem subordinating herself unconditionally in certain situations.
Self-confidence and new women's cycling
However, what makes Franziska Koch so strong at the moment is not just her physical condition, but above all her clearly recognisable mental maturity. She is performing with a self-confidence that would not always have been expected of her in the past. Koch appears more focussed, more determined and much clearer in her decisions. She is not afraid to take on responsibility, whether as captain or in the role of assistant. This development in particular fits seamlessly into modern women's cycling, which has become noticeably more dynamic in recent years and at the same time requires a greater degree of tactical awareness.
Future world champion Franziska Koch?
Franziska Koch has long since reached the point where the question is no longer whether she can ride at the front, but how far her path will take her. Her current form, combined with remarkable versatility, makes her a rider for the really big goals: the classics, demanding stage races and possibly a major championship race in the near future.
Especially on selective courses with short climbs, Koch could grow into a serious candidate for the world title in the future. If she continues her development at this pace and continues to receive the full trust of her team, her potential hardly seems limited. A strong rider has become a winner. And with every race, it seems a little more likely that a future world champion is maturing here. Franziska Koch has long been more than just a one-off Paris-Roubaix winner, she is becoming the figurehead of a new generation of German cyclists.
Leon Weidner
Editor
