Sander SteinsFranziska Koch, born on 13 July 2000 in Mettmann, Germany, a town between Düsseldorf and Wuppertal. In the early days of her career she won numerous races in youth and junior categories. When she turned professional in 2019 with Team Sunweb, Koch quickly realized that the journey ahead required hard work, humility, and above all, patience. In her debut season she claimed her first professional victory by winning Stage 4 of the Boels Ladies Tour in Nijmegen (the Netherlands).
Racing style of Franziska Koch
A true team player, Franziska Koch understands that cycling is as much about the collective as it is about individual success. Early on, she learned the importance of celebrating the “small victories”, such as achieving specific tactical goals during races.
Over the past two seasons, Koch has refined her ability to manage energy in multi-stage races and is no longer daunted by grueling mountain stages. She also emphasizes the importance of knowing when to “take it easy” once her job for the day is done. This mental and physical growth was on full display during the 2024 Tour de France Femmes, where Koch managed to finish the race, after falling outside the time limit in 2022.
Career highlights
| Year | Match | Position |
|---|---|---|
| 2024 | National Championships Germany WE – Road Race | 1 |
| 2022 | World Championships – Mixed Relay TTT | 2 |
| 2021 | Paris-Roubaix Femmes | 7 |
| 2019 | Boels Ladies Tour Stage 4 | 1 |
| 2017 | National Championships Germany WJ Time Trial | 3 |
Franziska’s hard work paid off in 2024 when she claimed her biggest victory yet, winning the German National Championships on the road. In addition to her national triumph, she helped her German team secure second place in the Mixed Relay at the UCI Road World Championships in Zurich.
Franziska Koch’s future ambitions
With her eyes firmly set on the future, Franziska Koch has ambitious goals. She dreams of one day becoming World Champion and winning the prestigious Paris-Roubaix. She knows that the right course selection will be crucial for her World Championship ambitions, but she has full confidence in her abilities on hilly classics that suit her racing style. Beyond that, Koch is determined to win a stage in the Tour de France Femmes and aims for a strong result at the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
With her talent, mental strength, and clear focus, Franziska Koch is poised for continued success on the world stage.
Source: Der Roadbike Podcast
