Cycling - Fearless after the blackout: Lennard Kämna's new beginning
Lennard Kämna was skeptical in the initial minutes. "Then I noticed it felt normal. I have no fear in road traffic, I have no fear in the descent. That really made me happy in that moment", says Germany's best Pro Cyclist in an interview with the German Press Agency.
When the Bremen cyclist talks about his first departure after his severe accident, his enthusiasm is almost tangible. "It was also a really great feeling, I was really euphoric", emphasizes Kämna. A comeback still in this year? He is "absolutely convinced that I will still make a number on the podium this year".
However, he knows only from stories about the darkest day of his career. On April 3, he was on Tenerife, preparing for the Giro d'Italia. He had reached a new performance limit, reports Kämna. But then there was this descent, then there was this driver, who simply overlooked Kämna. Collision, bone fractures, thorax trauma, lung contusion, surgeries.
Memories mix
He has no memories of that. "I don't know how the descent started or how I ended up in the hospital. I was conscious, but I had also fallen quite hard. That certainly wasn't helpful", says Kämna. The first days in the hospital are still a bit hazy, but the perceptions are now mixing.
The topic has been dropped. Kämna wants to look forward, enjoy what's left in his career. It's supposed to be a new beginning. For that, he has also found a new employer. According to rumors, it will be Lidl-Trek, Kämna can talk about it according to the regulations from August 1st at the earliest.
Currently, he can only talk about why it doesn't work out for him at Red Bull anymore. After all, he spent five successful years there, won stages at the Tour de France, the Giro, and the Vuelta a España. That's something few German professionals can claim.
Focus on Grand Tour classification
However, it was time for a change, as Kämna himself decided after the accident. "The team gave me a lot, and I could give a lot back. But you have to look at how my role is seen and how other teams do it", says the cyclist. There were obviously different opinions. Kämna would like to race the big tours on the general classification, the team saw him more as a stage hunter.
For all parties, it didn't go well after the accident. The contract negotiations were put on hold. Whether that was also a reason for his departure, Kämna leaves open. "Ralph Denk (team manager) said that the negotiations after the accident were put on ice. And if the rehabilitation goes in the right direction, he intends to extend the contract. I'll leave that for now", says Kämna.
No concrete negotiations have ever taken place, according to dpa information. "Lennard has decided on something else. I'm not personally angry. We have celebrated great successes, experienced highs and lows", says Denk.
Goal: Tour participation
Even if he is currently on the way back to his former strength, the accident disrupted Kämna's career plans. The coming season could be a rebuilding year, depending on how quickly Kämna can regain his level. A major goal for him: Participating in the Tour de France next year. "In what role I can say that right now, that was easier before the accident", says Kämna.
Long-term, he wants to compete again in one of the three major tours on the general classification. Currently, there is a learning experience for that at the Tour, where Tadej Pogacar shows partial otherworldly performances. "Honestly, I don't think I can keep up with his pace," says Kamna. "What he showed at the Giro and now at the Tour, that's absolutely exceptional. That's phenomenal, no one can match it right now." Eventually, I also want to be phenomenal.
- Despite the skepticism, Ralph Denk, the team manager of Kämna's previous team, Red Bull, believed in his recovery and was open to extending his contract after the accident.
- In the aftermath of his accident on Tenerife, Kämna expressed his intention to focus on participating in the Grand Tour classification instead of being a stage hunter.
- The German Press Agency reported that Kämna, despite his severe injuries, remained hopeful about making a comeback in cycling, aiming for a new beginning.
- The German Press Agency also reported that Kämsa had sought a new employer following his departure from Red Bull, with rumors suggesting he would join Lidl-Trek.
- Kämna's accident during his preparation for the Giro d'Italia in Tenerife resulted in multiple bone fractures, thorax trauma, and a lung contusion, causing him to miss the entire season.
- Kämna, one of Germany's best professional cyclists, has previously achieved significant successes in the Tour de France, Giro d'Italia, and Vuelta a España during his five-year tenure with Red Bull.
