Robert Förstemann

{{Short description|German cyclist (born 1986)}}

{{Use dmy dates|date=September 2017}}

{{Infobox cyclist

| name = Robert Förstemann

| image = Robert Förstemann 2017 WCup Apeldoorn.jpg

| image_size =

| caption =

| fullname =

| nickname =

| birth_date = {{birth date and age|df=yes|1986|3|5}}

| birth_place = Greiz, East Germany

| height = {{convert|1.74|m|ftin|abbr=on}}

| weight = {{convert|96|kg|lb st|abbr=on}}

| currentteam =

| discipline = Track

| role = Rider

| ridertype = Sprinter

| amateuryears1 =

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{{MedalSport| Men's track cycling}}

{{MedalCountry|{{GER}}}}

{{MedalCompetition|Olympic Games}}

{{MedalBronze|2012 London| Team sprint}}

{{MedalCompetition|World Championships}}

{{MedalGold|2010 Ballerup|Team sprint}}

{{MedalSilver|2014 Cali|Team sprint}}

{{MedalBronze|2007 Palma de Mallorca|Team sprint}}

{{MedalBronze|2009 Pruszków|Team sprint}}

{{MedalBronze|2015 Yvelines|Team sprint}}

{{MedalCompetition|European Championships}}

{{MedalGold|2010 Pruszków|Team Sprint}}

{{MedalGold|2011 Apeldoorn|Team sprint}}

{{MedalGold|2013 Apeldoorn|Team sprint}}

{{MedalGold|2014 Guadeloupe|Team sprint}}

{{MedalSilver|2013 Apeldoorn|Sprint}}

{{MedalBronze|2014 Guadeloupe|Sprint}}

{{MedalBronze|2015 Grenchen|Team sprint}}

{{MedalBronze|2016 Yvelines|Team sprint}}

{{MedalSport | Men's para-cycling }}

{{MedalCompetition|Paralympic Games}}

{{Medal|Bronze|2024 Paris|Tandem B kilo}}

{{MedalCompetition | Track World Championships}}

{{MedalSilver|2023 Glasgow|Tandem B sprint}}

{{MedalBronze|2023 Glasgow|Tandem B kilo}}

}}

Robert Förstemann (born 5 March 1986) is a German track cyclist specialising in the sprint disciplines and world champion in team sprint in 2010. In his later career he has transitioned to Paralympic track cycling, representing Germany as a sighted 'pilot' in tandem events at the 2020 Summer Paralympics. In 2023, Förstemann piloted Thomas Ulbricht to a silver medal in the tandem B sprint and a bronze medal in the tandem B kilo at the 2023 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Glasgow.

Major results

class="wikitable sortable"
DatePlacingEventCompetitionLocationCountry
{{dts|format=dmy|2004}}3Team sprintThe other riders on the squad were Sebastian Döhrer and Dominik HarzheimNational championshipsLeipzig{{flagu|Germany}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2005|7|25}}3Team sprintThe other riders on the squad were Daniel Giese and Marco JagerEuropean Track ChampionshipsFiorenzuola{{flagu|Italy}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2005|8}}3Team sprintThe other riders on the squad were Sascha Jäger and Alexander LesserNational championshipsHamburg{{flagu|Germany}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2005|12|11}}3Team sprintThe other riders on the squad were Maximilian Levy and Benjamin WittmannWorld CupManchester{{flagu|United Kingdom}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2006|8|19}}3Team sprintThe other riders on the squad were Sebastian Döhrer and René EndersNational championshipsCottbus{{flagu|Germany}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2007|2|25}}2Team sprintThe other riders on the squad were Matthias John and Michael SeidenbecherWorld CupManchester{{flagu|United Kingdom}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2007|3|29}}{{bronze3}}Team sprintThe other riders on the squad were Maximilian Levy and Stefan NimkeWorld ChampionshipsPalma de Mallorca{{flagu|Spain}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2007|8|23}}2Team sprintThe other riders on the squad were Carsten Bergemann and Benjamin WittmannNational championshipsBerlin{{flagu|Germany}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2007|8|26}}3SprintNational championshipsBerlin{{flagu|Germany}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2007|11|30}}2Team sprintThe other riders on the squad were Matthias John and Stefan NimkeWorld CupSydney{{flagu|Australia}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2008|8|28}}2Team sprintThe other riders on the squad were Stefan Nimke and Benjamin WittmannNational championshipsBüttgen{{flagu|Germany}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2008|8|29}}11 km time trialNational championshipsBüttgen{{flagu|Germany}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2008|8|30}}1SprintNational championshipsBüttgen{{flagu|Germany}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2008|12|11}}1Team sprintThe other riders on the squad were Carsten Bergemann and Stefan NimkeWorld CupCali{{COL}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2009|3|25}}{{bronze3}}Team sprintThe other riders on the squad were René Enders and Stefan NimkeWorld ChampionshipsPruszków{{flagu|Poland}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2009|7|8}}1Team sprintThe other riders on the squad were Carsten Bergemann and Sascha HübnerNational championshipsErfurt{{flagu|Germany}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2009|11|1}}3Team sprintThe other riders on the squad were Stefan Nimke and Tobias WachterWorld CupManchester{{flagu|United Kingdom}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2009|12|11}}2SprintWorld CupCali{{COL}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2009|12|12}}2Team sprintThe other riders on the squad were Maximilian Levy and Mathias StumpfWorld CupCali{{COL}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2010|3|24}}{{gold1}}Team sprintThe other riders on the squad were Maximilian Levy and Stefan NimkeWorld ChampionshipsBallerup{{DEN}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2012|02|19}}3SprintWorld CupLondon{{flagu|United Kingdom}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2012|08|2}}{{bronze3}}Team sprintThe other riders on the squad were Maximilian Levy and René EndersSummer OlympicsLondon{{flagu|United Kingdom}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2013|10|18}}{{gold1}}Team sprintThe other riders on the squad were Maximilian Levy and René EndersEuropean Track ChampionshipsApeldoorn{{flagu|Netherlands}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2013|10|19}}{{silver2}}SprintEuropean Track ChampionshipsApeldoorn{{flagu|Netherlands}}
{{dts|format=dmy|2023|08|04}}{{bronze3}}Kilo B1World Para-cyling Track ChampionshipsGlasgow{{flagu|United Kingdom}}

{{Reflist|group=N}}

File:Robert Förstemann.jpg

=Olympics 2012=

The German Olympic team used a loophole in the International Cycling Union (UCI) regulations to include Förstemann as an additional member of their 2012 sprint cycling team.{{cite news|last=Gallagher|first=Brendan|title=Sir Chris Hoy sets the wheels turning in the hunt for Olympic gold|url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/olympics/cycling/9444359/Sir-Chris-Hoy-sets-the-wheels-turning-in-the-hunt-for-Olympic-gold.html|access-date=2 August 2012|newspaper=Telegraph.co.uk|date=2 August 2012}} He was also included in the German team for the mountain bike event.

Physique

In July 2012, a photograph of Förstemann's legs was widely circulated by the world's media during the 2012 Summer Olympics.{{cite news|last=Roberts|first=Christine|title=The thigh's the limit! Olympic athletes Robert Forstemann and Andre Griepel compete in 'quad-off'|url=http://www.nydailynews.com/sports/olympics-2012/thigh-limit-olympic-athletes-robert-forstemann-andre-griepel-compete-quad-off-article-1.1125235|access-date=2 August 2012|newspaper=Daily News (New York)|date=30 July 2012}} Described as a 'quad off' with Olympic team-mate André Greipel, the photo showed his quad muscles compared with those of the road cyclist. His thighs were measured with a circumference of {{convert|73|cm|in}}.{{cite news|title=Wer toppt diese Olympia-Schenkel?|url=http://www.bz-berlin.de/artikel-archiv/wer-toppt-diese-olympia-schenkel|access-date=30 June 2015|work=B.Z.|date=1 August 2012|language=de}} A circumference of {{convert|34|in|cm|disp=flip}} has also been recorded, and the size of his quad muscles has led to him being called "Quadzilla" by some in his sport.{{cite news |title=They call him Quadzilla. Picture captures scale of cyclist Robert Forstemann's massive thighs |url=https://www.independent.co.uk/voices/iv-drip/they-call-him-quadzilla-picture-captures-scale-of-cyclist-robert-forstemanns-massive-thighs-8922429.html |date=5 November 2013 |newspaper=The Independent}}

References

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