Lochner wins last World Cup against Friedrich in two-man bobsleigh

Johannes Lochner has won the last World Cup duel in the two-man bobsleigh against his long-time rival Francesco Friedrich. The athlete from Berchtesgaden took a total of 0.51 seconds off his long-time rival in two runs on his home track in Altenberg. The 35-year-old Lochner thus secured the overall victory in the two-man bobsleigh World Cup. He was only beaten by the record-breaking world champion from Pirna in Sigulda. It was his third major crystal globe in the small sled after 2022/2023 and 2024/2025.

"This means a lot to me again. It will still be a tough nut to crack at the Olympics. Franz is totally hardened and has his cool," said Lochner, who put on a show of strength with push athlete Georg Fleischhauer. Friedrich, who is the same age and is aiming for his third Olympic gold double in a row in Cortina d'Ampezzo in February, will only decide after the Winter Games, in consultation with his family, whether he will continue his unique career.

Friedrich: "Fight back at the Olympics"

He still has some homework to do for his Olympic mission. Just like last time in Winterberg, four-time Olympic champion Friedrich and Alexander Schüller also had to let Adam Ammour pass them in the internal German duel. Ammour finished in second place with Benedikt Hertel. "We are happy that we set the best time in the second run. We have a goal, a plan in mind, we know what we're doing. I think we'll strike back at the Olympics. The Empire has always fought back," said Friedrich.

Last two-man bobsleigh World Cup race for Lochner

For Lochner, it was definitely the last World Cup race in the small sled, as he will end his career after the Olympics in Cortina d'Ampezzo. "We really enjoyed it once again," said Fleischhauer, while Lochner was already thinking ahead: "After that, I'll only be driving a bobsleigh cab on our track at Königssee," said the bobsleigh pilot.