The poster “Bike E.T. home” motivated her to begin her first road bike circuits in 2000. She transitioned to track cycling in 2005.
Kristina Vogel was aware that the risk of falling is inherent in professional track cycling.
Her development on the track was swift; after competing in the initial national “scouting race,” she was immediately chosen for the national youth team. She maintained her momentum and secured numerous national and international championships.
Kristina Vogel Lecture Topics
- A fresh start: Everything changes.
- Still myself, just different.
- A different life – new opportunities.
- Better than average cross-section.
- Kristina Vogel: Stand Up!
In 2009, Kristina Vogel experienced her first major setback when a driver cut her off. The crash was unavoidable, resulting in two days in a coma, multiple fractures, four weeks hospitalized, and three months of rehabilitation before she could ride again. She understood that crashes were part of professional track cycling.
Although the accident caught up with her, she never doubted whether to quit or continue. Her motivation was the dream of competing in the 2012 London Olympics.
With strong determination, she competed in the Track Cycling World Championships just nine months later. From that point, she was unstoppable:
- 2 Olympic gold medals
- 11-time world champion
- 6-time junior world champion
- 28-time world cup winner
- 5-time European champion
- 23-time German champion
- 2-time world record holder.
In 2018, Kristina Vogel faced another severe misfortune.
While preparing for her third Olympic Games and aiming to become the greatest female track cyclist ever, she was involved in a collision with a Dutch junior cyclist, sustaining multiple fractures and injuries.
The outcome: paralysis and life in a wheelchair.
Three months after the serious accident, Kristina Vogel reappeared publicly with an emotional interview in Spiegel magazine and a press conference.
“I feel free”
Since then, she has confronted her fate openly and shared her experience as an example. Anyone doubting her resilience will be proven wrong.
With her inspiring energy, she serves as a role model for self-belief. She remains an exemplary figure both during her active career and beyond.
Kristina Vogel is dedicated to sports and holds personal membership in the German Olympic Sports Association (DOSB) as well as the Athlete and Track Commission of the International Cycling Union (UCI).
In the 2018 “Female Athlete of the Year” vote, Kristina Vogel placed second and received a special “Model Athlete” award.
In May 2019, she announced her candidacy for the Erfurt City Council and was appointed ambassador for the 2020 UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Berlin.
