One Grabsch proud of the other

"A World Champion for a brother, how many people can say that?" asked Ralf Grabsch. "That was a perfect performance by my brother at the Worlds in Varese. I am very proud of Bert."

Ralf, who rides for Milram, takes credit for his younger brother's success. "After all, I was the one when we were kids who made Bert change from soccer to cycling!"

The elder Grabsch also laughed over the German TV announcers, who kept confusing the two during the Worlds, although Ralf did not participate. "It is great that our names were always mentioned. And now everyone knows that there are two pro cyclists in our family. That makes it easier to accept the mix-up."

While Bert has now finished his season, Ralf still has two more races to go. This Friday he will ride the Münsterland Giro, followed the next day by Steffen Wesemann's farewell race.(SW)