Karl ‘Plattos’ Platt

GERMANY, 38 T FIVE-TIME EPIC WINNER, MULTIPLE GERMAN MARATHON CHAMPION, FORMER GERMAN JUNIOR DOWNHILL CHAMPION T PARTNER: URS HUBER

What’s your relationship with Christoph Sauser like? We will never be best friends… but it’s not like I hate him. Would you have a beer with him? Mmm…. Yes, why not?! How does his personality differ to yours? Christoph is very success- orientated. When he won at Attakwas this year, he had two flat tyres and still went on to win. He never gives anything away. I’ve given so many stage wins away… If I win seven stages or three [at the Epic], what difference does it make [if I am leading overall]? Nobody remembers. Also, small teams need the coverage, and sometimes it’s important to give them something to keep the whole business turning. Christoph doesn’t realise that… he fights for everything. How do you rate your chances, defending your 2016 Epic title? I don’t want to finish second. I want to win, 100%. The Epic is not Christmas… you have to fight for it! How important is the Epic for you? If I win the Epic, it’s coverage for my sponsors for the whole year. Is it your most important race of the year? Yes, I would say so. How have you maintained your motivation to train since turning pro in 2001? Life balance. I cannot focus the whole year. I know I have to prepare for the Epic for three or four months, and be very serious for the eight weeks before the race – watching things like what I eat, and how much rest I get. Sauser is different. He takes maybe a couple of weeks off in a year, and then he is serious again. For me, races like the Wines2Whales are racing, but… not racing. I am not serious then!