Italy’s Andreas Reiterer took second at the 2023 Trail World Championships 80k, in doing so improving upon his third place at this event in 2022. In the following interview, Andreas talked about the highs and lows of his day of racing, if he’s pleased with his performance, and where else he plans on racing in 2023.
For more on what happened in the race, read our 2023 Trail World Championships 80k results article.
Andreas Reiterer Post-2023 Trail World Championships 80k Interview Transcript
iRunFar: Sarah Brady of iRunFar. I’m here after the 2023 Trail World Championships with second-place male, Andreas Reiterer. Andreas, congratulations. How do you feel?
Andreas Reiterer: Hello, thank you. Yes, I’m feeling good. A little bit tired but after a race like this, it’s okay. And we had also a great party yesterday, so yeah.
iRunFar: Very good. It’s a great city here in Innsbruck, isn’t it?
Reiterer: Yes, yes.
iRunFar: So yeah, just to talk through the earlier parts of the race first. So you seemed to stay quite calm in the first like, 30 or so kilometers before you moved into the lead. Were you deliberately starting quite easy or how did you pace it?
Reiterer: Yeah, the first loop was easy. And then in the second uphill I turned around, and I didn’t see the other favorites. And so I thought, Maybe now I can try to push a little bit more. And so I was in second place. And then after 30 kilometers, I came in for first place. And I felt very strong yesterday until the last 400 metres of uphill. It was a bit hot and maybe.
iRunFar: Okay. And how did you feel on the descents? Were your quads still pretty intact on the last descent or was that difficult?
Reiterer: [laughs] The last descent was difficult. Because also the third guy was coming, so I had to push because, yeah.
iRunFar: Yeah, okay. And so you’re pretty local to this area. Do you think that made a difference that you’re familiar with these trails and this type of terrain?
Reiterer: Yeah, I think for me, it’s an advantage because I was here two times to check the course and also in my home there are similar terrains.
iRunFar: Okay. So you placed third at Thailand [Trail World Championships 80k] last year, and then obviously second this year, so it’s great to be going in the right direction. But how did you feel like the two races compared? Was this more difficult? Or was this more like your comfort zone?
Reiterer: I think every race is difficult. But between Thailand and here, in Thailand, the weather conditions were harder, and here the course was harder.
iRunFar: Okay. Great. And so have you, I know it’s very soon to ask this, but have you anything in mind for what’s next?
Reiterer: For this season?
iRunFar: Yes.
Reiterer: I will do Eiger 50k.
iRunFar: Okay. Very good.
Reiterer: And then CCC.
iRunFar: Okay, that’s great. Brilliant. So yeah, enjoy your recovery and congratulations again. Thank you.
Reiterer: Thank you.
