Topmann enthusiastically aims for an Olympic gold, spurred on by a competitor
Unfiltered, Edgy Bobsled Showdown: Thorsten Margis and Johannes Lochner Fight for 2026 Gold
Berchtesgaden (dpa) - Four-time Olympic bobsled champ, Thorsten Margis, has kicked off his 'Project Gold' for the 2026 Winter Games, leaving longtime pilot Francesco Friedrich behind. Instead, the 35-year-old brake man is teaming up with German rival, Johannes Lochner - the Berchtesgaden's Olympic silver medalist.
"We're not here to snag any old medal, nah, we want the gold and become Olympic champions - nothing less! And that's a viable dream because we can beat Franz," Margis told the German Bobsleigh and Skeleton Federation (BSD), confidently asserting his mental strength would help the Bavarian team take down the Saxon favorite.
"Hansi's [Lochner's] always missed the top spot, and his start times have often slowed, not sped up. Those are issues we need to sort out," Margis admitted, backing Lochner's driving skills: "He's been pressuring Franz and me for a while now, he's always been damn fast and talented."
Duel in All Events
While record-breaker Friedrich is infamous for his perfectionism and fastidious focus, Lochner opts for a fun-loving approach. "If we're initiating this project - and everyone on the team needs to understand this - we want to pick up gold in both events," Margis said, eager to support Lochner's regular break man, Georg Fleischhauer.
The duo clinched the two-man event at the 2023 World Championships in St. Moritz against Friedrich. "My personal goal now is to secure a spot on the sled, particularly in the four-man event, where I'll compete against Fleischhauer, Florian Bauer, Erec Bruckert, and Jörn Wenzel," Margis said.
Comparing the Contenders
To size up Margis and Lochner for the 2026 Winter Games, we need to gauge their history and current rankings in bobsleigh. Both athletes are heavyweights in German bobsleigh, with Margis having shared the podium with Friedrich, and Lochner teaming up with Florian Bauer.
Thorsten Margis
- Expertise and Accomplishments: Margis has been a bobsledding juggernaut, particularly in the two-man bob event. He snagged the gold medal in the 2022 Winter Olympics alongside Francesco Friedrich.
- Performance Pattern: Margis's performance under Friedrich's piloting has been steady, contributing to their dominance in the scene.
- Strengths: His experience and chemistry with Friedrich are key advantages, as they've proven to be a formidable duo on the international stage.
Johannes Lochner
- Experience and Achievements: Lochner is a skilled bobsledder who won the silver medal in the 2022 Winter Olympics with Florian Bauer. He demonstrates versatility in both two-man and four-man bobsleigh events.
- Performance Trend: Lochner's consistency and ability to adapt to different team setups stand out, as he has excelled in various team combinations.
- Strengths: His adaptability and silver medal performance highlight that he's a strong contender in the sport.
Key Points for the 2026 Winter Games
- Team Synergy:
- Margis benefits from deep bond with Friedrich, which has led to numerous victories.
- Lochner's adaptability could work to his advantage if he needs to change up his team for the 2026 Games.
- Competition Level:
- Both athletes have established themselves at the pinnacle, with Margis on the gold podium and Lochner on the silver.
- Their past performances suggest they'll both be tough contenders in the 2026 Winter Games.
- Recent Events:
- As of now, there's no specific intel on their current training or any changes to their teams for the 2026 Games.
- Both athletes will likely work to maintain or boost their performance levels.
In brief, both Margis and Lochner are strong competitors for the 2026 Winter Games, with Margis holding an edge thanks to his solid partnership with Friedrich, while Lochner offers adaptability and established success in multiple team configurations. The outcome will depend on how each athlete performs leading up to the Games and any strategic moves they make.
- Sports: Thorsten Margis shares his ambition with Johannes Lochner to aim for the gold in both two-man and four-man events at the 2026 Winter Games.
- Hockey: In the spirit of sports, one could imagine the dynamic duo of Margis and Lochner forming an unstoppable bobsled team on the ice, bringing their determination and adaptability to a game of hockey as they strive for victory.
