And because Kämna delivers strong results and spectacular escapes, his Bora-hansgrohe team also has fun. Shortly before the start of the tour, the contract with the immensely talented tour driver was extended prematurely. During the tour, the 25-year-old Bora captain will support Alexander Vlasow in the mountains, but will be given freedom, as was the case with the Giro.
These are obviously important for Kämna to be able to develop his full potential. “He’s a bit of a free spirit,” says Denk and reports on the first time trial of the Giro d’Italia, in which Kämna surprisingly took eighth place: “He pulled that out of a hat. He hardly looked at the route and was without a radio connection. He wanted to do freestyle.”
Time Trial Master
Last Saturday, Kämna secured the German championship title in the time trial for the first time. However, he does not see himself as a candidate for victory in the opening time trial of the Tour over 13.2 kilometers on Friday in Copenhagen. “It’s the time trial specialists’ turn, I’m not at that level yet. I’ll see where I end up,” says the former junior world champion in the fight against the clock.
The stage victory remains the big goal. Possibly because he personally has a lot in common with the tour. After his stage win in Villard-de-Lans in 2020, Kämna gradually slipped into a mood dip that almost cost him his career. “As soon as there are difficulties, I have problems getting satisfaction outside of sport. I missed opening myself up to other things, developing other interests. I lived my life wrong,” Kämna once said to the “Weser Kurier “.
Today he doesn’t want to talk about that time anymore. His gaze is understandably forward and Kämna seems to have overcome his problems. This is good news for him and also for German cycling. Because there aren’t many drivers in his class in this country anymore.