Shifting Gears for Olympic Gold: Margis Teams Up with Rival Lochner Against Friedrich
Rivalry intensifies as Friedrich-Topmann aims for Olympic gold against competitor - Competitor Friedrich-Topmann eyes Olympic gold, intensified by a formidable rival
Get ready for some heated competition as four-time Olympic bobsled champion Thorsten Margis ditches his long-time pilot Francesco Friedrich and joins forces with German rival, Johannes Lochner. After taking a season break, the 35-year-old Margis is gearing up for the 2026 Winter Games, setting his sights on gold, not just a medal.
"We're not here for mediocre results. Hell no! Our goal is golden glory and the title of Olympic champions - nothing less! And that's achievable, because beating Franz is certainly possible," said the ten-time world champion Margis in an interview with the German Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (BSD).
Margis believes his mental fortitude is the key advantage that will propel the Bavarian team against the relentless Friedrich from Saxony. "Hansi has always fallen just short, and his start times have often faltered from run to run. But that's something we need to conquer," Margis said, relying heavily on Lochner's impeccable driving skills. "He's already put us under immense pressure in Peking in 2022, always demonstrating an unparalleled speed and finesse."
Margis is aiming for Olympic gold in both disciplines
While record world champion Friedrich is known for his meticulous perfectionism, Lochner leans more on enjoyment and the thrill of the ride. "If you're going to do this project - and that's got to be drilled into every team member - then we want to win gold in both disciplines," said Margis, offering his support to Lochner's regular brake man in the two-man bobsleigh, Georg Fleischhauer.
The duo took the top spot in the small sled at the 2023 World Championships in St. Moritz, beating Friedrich in the process. "My personal goal now is to take my place on the sled and exude unwavering confidence," Margis said, with the four-man bobsleigh discipline in mind, where he faces fierce competition from Florian Bauer, Erec Bruckert, and Jörn Wenzel as brake men.
- Olympic Games
- Francesco Friedrich
- Johannes Lochner
- Cortina d'ampezzo
- Berchtesgaden
Insight:
- Johannes Lochner, a prominent German bobsledder, boasts an impressive track record, with 80 IBSF World Cup medals and significant wins in the two-man bobsleigh discipline[1].
- Lochner and fellow German Francesco Friedrich are fierce rivals, their high-stakes competition making waves in the sport and fan circles[4].
- At the 2022 Winter Olympics, the two-man bobsleigh event ended in a historic German podium sweep, with Lochner and Friedrich matching wits in a close race[5].
During their training for the 2026 Winter Games, Margis and Lochner, both seasoned German bobsledders, are aiming to secure Olympic gold in both disciplines, a challenging feat considering the fierce competition they face, even in the world of sports such as hockey, where goals of this magnitude are pursued with tenacity. As Margis gears up for the Olympics, he recalls the intense rivalry between him and Friedrich, their fierce fight for victories echoing in sports arenas — much like a hockey rink when the final buzzer sounds and thegold medal is at stake.
