Interview with Karl Platt: A great competition to Christoph Sauser

Karl Platt is a 4x Cape Epic winner currently on the Bulls team in Germany.

Karl Platt has been recognized as a worthy contender for mountain-bike riding. This has been more of a passion more than business for him, and together with his new partner, Urs Huber they have been a dynamic duo. Karl has been out to prove why he is the king of the stage races, and why he is not stepping down from Enduro racing anytime soon.

I had the opportunity to interview Mr Platt during the Cape Epic to find out why he has staying power and why the media has always put himself and Christoph as rivalries of the Cape Epic. 

This is how it all went down at the rider's village:

The L.A Dosage: What has been your greatest achievement in mountain-bike racing?

Karl Platt: Ahh it is very difficult to say. But I would to definitely say, the 4 wins at the Cape Epic were quite something.

The L.A Dosage: Would you say Christoph Sauser, is your biggest competitor in this league of riding?

Karl Platt: Ahhh ja. . . In terms of the Cape Epic, he definitely is. He came to the Epic a year later after me and we have been racing together for 11 years. Both of us have, had 4 wins but he has more wins. And I am sure he is going to get the 5th win.

(The certainty here is quite noble for riders who are supposedly rivals)

The L.A Dosage: You have had 14 stage wins and 4 Cape Epic wins. How has that experience been?

Karl Platt: Uhm. . . we (the team) have always struggled to stay consistent. With Sauser there would be times when he would pace himself too much, even though he has had many stage wins. He would be very aggressive on the stage races. It has been a struggle riding and you know you have to be very consistent in the Epic, every single day that you are here.

Platt riding in one of the stages back home in Germany

The L.A Dosage: What does winning this year's Epic mean for you, as we all know anything can happen in this type of set up?

Karl Platt: Eh. . . the Epic is being covered now in every country. It is well-known. It would be a huge success and good for publicity for the team. But I don't like to put too much pressure on myself and I enjoy mountain-biking. On the other hand, I would be disappointed if I don't win, but the road is still turning and I can enjoy myself and have fun doing it.

The L.A Dosage: What has made riding with Urs Huber a huge success? What has made you guys work as a team?

Karl Platt: I have known Urs for quite some time now, and we joined forces in 2013 when he came to our team. He is super strong and I think that is why we are a good combination. Sometimes we have had bad luck on the stages but we are good together. 

The L.A Dosage: What are your plans after the Cape Epic?

Karl Platt: Holiday! (both parties laugh). But seriously, I go back home to Germany and have a holiday for 10 days then its back to training.

The L.A Dosage: How would you advice someone who would like to do mountain-biking?

Karl Platt: Don't put too much pressure on yourself or else you will make mistakes. And always remember that mountain-biking is not a business but a passion.

It is always a great pleasure speaking to these athletes especially if they are very cooperative and willing to chat to the media with no hassles. 

We wish Karl and the rest of the riders of Bulls a great success with their future endeavours and hope to see them again back at the top next year.

Karl Platt, Lee-Ann, Urs Huber

Till next time. . .