"I dreamed of the rainbow jersey": Interview with U23 world champion Niklas Behrens

Niklas, congratulations on the World Championship title. We know that you are good over hills. Here in Zurich, you had to tackle a course with 173.6 kilometres and more than 2300 metres of elevation gain. Many people thought it was only for climbers. You are 1.95 metres tall and weigh 80 kilograms. Did you think you could win the world championship title on this course?

Niklas Behrens: I actually thought about it a bit when we were riding Recon (route inspection), that maybe it could be something - if I manage to torture myself up the climbs five times.

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How did the race go?

Niklas Behrens: The third (penultimate) lap was crucial, when there were only 15 of us left on this 20 per cent ramp. That's when I realised: if they don't drop me here on the next lap, I'm going to cross the finish line with them. Everyone was grey - and I got stuck on the last climb. I was then only travelling with the climbers.

At the start of the final lap, Swiss rider Jan Christen was still alone in the lead with a 50-second advantage...

Niklas Behrens: We still had to catch up with Jan Christen. But then he really went down while we put on a real train. When we saw him in front of us, I knew: I'm going for gold here today. Then one after the other dropped off. And in the end there was only one left for me to sprint against.

Two weeks before the World Championships, you narrowly missed out on the title at the European Road Championships in Belgium. Back then, you lost the two-man sprint to Huub Artz from the Netherlands on a comparatively flat course. It remained silver. Have you learnt anything from that defeat?

Niklas Behrens: Yes. At the European Championships, I got a bit shitty. This time I started the sprint from the back and managed to win. We (Behrens and his last companion, the Slovakian Martin Svrcek; editor's note) had a good lead. That's why I thought I could take a gamble. In the end it was a pure elimination race. In the end, I had the best legs.

You didn't grow up in cycling. You come from a swimming and triathlon background and have only been cycling for a few years. When did you realise the value of a rainbow jersey?

Niklas Behrens: Today, I think. But I can probably only really realise it in the next few days. I've been dreaming about it - and now I've achieved it. That's mega cool.

During the U23 race, Switzerland's Muriel Furrer succumbed to her injuries from the junior women's race the day before. The news of her death made the rounds. What did you hear about it during and after the race?

Niklas Behrens: Of course, I didn't realise anything at first. I had crossed the finish line full of joy and then I wondered a bit why everyone was clapping afterwards and then suddenly there was silence. Only then did they tell me. Of course, it's always really annoying when something like that happens - unfortunately far too often!

How did you experience the award ceremony - it was very quiet, there were no fanfares, no national anthem was played.

Niklas Behrens: Of course, I had mixed feelings. I was a little happy about the title. On the other hand, of course, I also had to think about the parents, the family (of the victims; editor's note). It's really tough.

To what extent did you find the course technically challenging or even dangerous?

Niklas Behrens: I don't think the course is too bad when it's dry. But yesterday (the day of the junior race; editor's note) it was pouring with rain, of course, and it really started again today. That was a bit risky. Especially on the long descent towards the finish, the course was quite technical in parts. I'm glad that nothing happened to me. I also slipped over manhole covers once or twice - but nothing happened. In the junior race, the main favourite Albert Philipsen (Denmark, had to retire injured; editor's note) also crashed in a bend. Of course you have that in the back of your mind when you're riding a downhill like that.

The word on the scene is that you have what it takes to become a strong racer for the spring classics. Where do you see your potential?

Niklas Behrens: I think that's still open. My learning curve is quite steep. I'm curious to see where it will take me.