"Of course, we always orientate ourselves on the world's best. When you've achieved such a great result, it's clear that you're measured against it," said national coach Detlef Uibel ahead of the five-day competition, which begins today (Wednesday, 18:25/Eurosport) at the Velodrome in northern France. There were four World Championship titles and a total of eight medals in Berlin.
Hinze, the bearer of hope
Three-time world champion Emma Hinze, who has rainbow jerseys to defend in the sprint, team sprint and keirin, is once again likely to be the biggest hope. "Of course I'm going to the start and want to win. Otherwise I wouldn't need to line up at the start. But I want to have more fun and really enjoy it. I'm not doing it to prove to everyone that I can win gold every time," Hinze told dpa ahead of the World Championships in Roubaix.
Around the Olympic Games in Tokyo, the 24-year-old had recently complained about too much pressure and too high expectations and complained that her result in Japan (one silver medal) had been devalued too much from the outside. There are still question marks over the start of her team sprint partner Lea Sophie Friedrich, who was ill for a week after the European Championships in Grenchen.
The women's gold quad with Lisa Brennauer is also a clear title contender in the team pursuit, but will have to do without Lisa Klein due to injury. Brennauer is nevertheless optimistic. "We can go into the start without any great pressure. What we have already achieved this year should give us a boost. We don't have the pressure of having to deliver." Team-mate Mieke Kröger nevertheless spoke of wanting to win the rainbow stripes after winning Olympic gold and the European Championship title.
© dpa-infocom, dpa:211019-99-657686/3
