Anne Haug, we catch you still on Lanzarote (note: since the beginning of May she is in the USA) in the final preparations for the Ironman World Championship. How did your training day go today, what was on the agenda? 

The day was hard, really hard. A short swim in the morning, then I was on the bike for five hours in full wind, followed by another hard running session. Now it's getting serious. The current phase is the most intensive, everything has to come together - the training volumes and intensities are still enormously high. Towards the race, the race intensity is touched, the volume then goes down. 

How are the preparations for the World Cup going - how do you feel? 

Of course, you always want to be better, there is never the feeling that it is perfect. That would also be bad. But I'm really satisfied, I was able to train everything, I'm not injured and not sick. Hopefully that will continue and then we'll see what the day brings. This is the first World Cup in three years, the feeling is almost like at the Olympics. A lot can have happened in this long period of time, athletes can come up that you didn't even have on your radar. Everyone is nervous, no one could compete with the others. It will be difficult for everyone, luckily there are two chances this year, in St. George and in Hawaii.

You're going into 2019 as the defending champion after your win in Hawaii before the Corona break. Burden or distinction? 

The pressure is already great. I've been carrying this big target around on my back for three years now (laughs). Of course people expect you to live up to it, but a lot can happen in three years. At the Ironman there is just the one race where all the good athletes come together in top form on one day, it's different at the short distance. But I feel very well prepared and would like to defend my title, it will be incredibly difficult, but that's the way it has to be.

What does the Utah, St. George location change from your perspective? 

That can change a lot and you can get very different results. In Hawaii it's extreme - maybe the small and light competition types like me have slight advantages in the brutal heat. In Utah, maybe strength types may have advantages on the extremely mountainous bike and run course. But I don't think it's a bad thing because we're the only sport where the World Championships are always held in one place. If the terrain and location change now, more athletes will have the opportunity to win and we, who won Hawaii, can show that we can do it in a different location. I find that very exciting.

What role does your experience play?

I've done five long distances so far, I'm still an absolute rookie. The day at Ironman is so insanely long that you never get routine, so much can happen. I'm always very excited and have a lot of respect for the distance, because you really can only do an Ironman on a good day. It will always be something special that you tackle with awe on the day. Everything has to be right, including the equipment on the bike course. But I'm in the best possible position. 

You've been riding with Schwalbe's Aerothan tube for two years now. How did that come about? 

I am simply a fan of tubes. Because there is Aerothan, I use them. I think that is incredible that the tube is super light and can tolorate so much. At the same time, it holds the air super well. I always have to check in the day before the competition - with Aerothan I know everything is good, it gives me security. I ride it in combination with the Schwalbe Pro One TT and am incredibly happy with it because of the extremely low weight and the super good rolling resistance. Also for St. George with the many meters of altitude gives me a super feeling. 

What is your experience with the Pro One TT? 

When I started with the long distance, I had a flat tire directly in my first race - since I've been with Schwalbe, that has never been the case. I've had no problems at all so far and am super satisfied.

What role does the topic of air pressure play for you? 

I've never dealt with it so intensively for a long time, but since I'm with you, I've noticed what an impact that simply has on cycling. It has honestly surprised me a little, how little air pressure you need nowadays. Quite early in the tubular tires you had 12 bar - now with my new combination of Aerothan and Pro One TT I usually run 6.3 bar. I put so much value on it because I notice what a difference it makes.

What else do you associate with Schwalbe? 

Schwalbe is also closely associated with triathlon for me, because so many professionals are on Schwalbe. It's just damn good material - I know that Schwalbe is always at the cutting edge. You always want to improve, just like a competitive athlete. So together we are constantly looking for improvements and optimizations, that just fits very well. It's a great feeling to know that with Schwalbe I have a partner who provides me with the best material available on the market. 

Then we wish you a good final preparation and hope that our material will lead you to success in Utah! 

Thank you very much - it's already tingling!