Bobsleigh World Cup: Lochner wants to attack Friedrich in the four-man bobsleigh

In the duel between the best German bobsleigh pilots, Johannes Lochner lost out in the two-man bobsleigh at the World Championships in Winterberg on Sunday (February 25, 2024). In the fight for gold, of all things, record world champion Francesco Friedrich achieved another victory after a long dry spell. At the weekend, the Upper Bavarian wants to attack again and dethrone dominator Friedrich in the four-man bobsleigh.

After his serious training crash in Altenberg, the Berchtesgaden native went into the World Cup week with neck problems and was unable to defend his title. “It still wasn’t the way we can do it or how I normally manage it“, says Lochner. After all, the “Start now works again”.

Fleischhauer: “Of course I was hoping for a different color”

The 33-year-old from Upper Bavaria had to clearly admit defeat to his long-term rival Friedrich, who, after almost 15 winless months, burned three track records into the Winterberg ice in the small sled and raced to his eighth world title in the two-man bobsleigh. Lochner only came third. In the end, it was a disappointing result for him and his pusher Georg Fleischhauer, who admitted that they were on the home track “Of course I was hoping for a different color, from a medal perspective“.

The World Championships continue at the weekend and after bronze in the two-man event, Lochner has the next chance to attack the Saxons on Saturday in the four-man bobsleigh. He was “I’m confident that we’ll do better as a foursome next week and be there at full speed from the start“.

Lochner still has something to make up in the foursome

The motivation is now even greater to overthrow World Cup leader Friederich from his throne in the big sleigh. “Of course, we still have something to make up for, especially in the foursome. It was really good at the World Cups this season, something we haven’t had for a long time and that’s why I’m really motivated that we can fight for victory again in the foursome at a World Cup.” It definitely won’t be easy, because Friedrich is still the measure of all things in the big sleigh. The balance is impressive: “King” Friedrich secured the last five world titles.