Introducing Maxi Dickerhoff
Name: Eugen-Maximilian Dickerhoff
Domicile: Altenstadt (Oberbayern) / Königsbrunn (Augsburg)
Date of birth: 19.06.1988
MTB since: 2002
Racing since: 2004
Hi Maxi. We are pleased to welcome you to the Canyon Factory Enduro Team.
Tell us a little bit about yourself. How did you get into cycling? What fascinates you about this sport?
Hi all. Many of you probably know me already as an integral part of the MTB News.de editorial office [IBC] therefore it won’t be news to some of you that I have been an enthusiastic race rider for ages. I discovered MTB sport when I was able to observe the then reigning Swiss Downhill Champion Claudio Caluori during his downhill training in the Graubündner Scuol when I was on my annual summer kayak holiday with my family in 2002. The speed, the extremes and above all Claudio’s bike handling captured me to such an extent that just a few days later I myself tried to ride the easy section of the course. The fun and the fascination have stayed with me until this day.
You have been successful in the gravity scene for years now, above all in downhill. Now you are starting off in the enduro scene. What do you want to achieve in your first season with the Canyon Factory Enduro Team? How do you see your chances at the first Enduro World Series?
My downhill background has always been of use to me in enduro events. 80% of the timed sections take place on downhill routes and are, depending on the series, not all that easy. Anyone who can fly down the course in true downhill style already has a really strong hand. My aim is therefore to position myself right at the front, above all in demanding downhill focused events in order to collect important points for the overall classification in the newly founded Enduro World Series. With Tibor as Team Manager and my teammate Ines, Marco and Joe we are really well positioned to be up right there in the mix in the overall rankings at the World Series.
As an editor at MTB-News.de [IBC] you are literally at the source of information and always up to date as far as the latest trends are concerned. What do you make of the development in the enduro scene over the last few years and where do you think the sport is ultimately heading?
The popularity, which enduro racing is currently enjoying, is massive. I don’t know of any other discipline in the sport which has received such a lot of hype in recent times as enduro racing has. In every country enduro series are emerging – all of them are based on a fundamental format similar to that of car rally sport with various rounds and interim stages although there are often major differences in the interpretation of the regulations. These differences within a single discipline did not exist in the past in bike sport and this is exactly the reason why enduro appeals to so many different mountain bikers and unites riders from all kinds of disciplines.
The fact that enduro is one of the few MTB trends that is swooping across to North America from Europe and not the other way round as is normally the case in the MTB industry demonstrates that the discipline has a real future. Therefore, there is still plenty that awaits us in the future. I only hope that the attractive diversity of enduro sport remains for a very long time to come.
You’ve been riding your new enduro full suspension Strive for some time now. What was your initial impression? What makes a perfect enduro bike in your eyes?
The first impression was, as expected, very positive. I can now determine in advance and with a great deal of accuracy with the help of detailed geometry data whether a bike is suitable for me or not. I set great store by a long main frame, a short rear triangle, a high front end and a low bottom bracket. The Strive had all these features combined, and I knew this because I had already studied the bike very closely in advance. My first ride out on the bike confirmed all my expectations.
Unfortunately the weather over the last few weeks here in the foothills of the Alps hasn’t exactly played into our hands – the mix between rain, snow and cold hasn’t made rides out on my new Strive particularly inviting, which is why I can’t yet provide you with any more accurate and entertaining feedback on the bike. But at the end of February we finally make our way south where I’ll be able to really saddle up and have mega fun!
Have a look at the first test rides on the Strive AL (filmed by Benni Klose)
Pick Up Snow Fun! von metalfreak – mehr Mountainbike-Videos
Fitness, a good clean riding style, power and concentration – enduro places considerable demands on the rider. How do you prepare for the season and keep yourself fit?
As I’ve already mentioned, the God of weather Petrus seems to be very moody at the moment. The changeable weather makes it difficult to pursue a consistent training program outdoors. As far as the snow permits, I try to do as much cross country skiing as possible. When there isn’t much snow, I plod my way through the slush and mud and this training is then polished off with the usual hours I spend in the gym and indoor climbing centre.
Where can one see you when you’re not out training on your bike?
Well now, you won’t get that many opportunities! Anyone involved in bike sport whether it’s a hobby or job, won’t really have time for anything else. I would like, however, in the near future to get myself a motocross bike to clear my head and take my mind off cycling for just a while. And if I’m doing something that’s totally unconnected with bike sport, then you’ll find me with a camera in my hand, because photography is something that really does help me get away from it all.
Thank you for your time Maxi! We wish you a very successful start into the season.
We can’t wait!
