Tension Rises Between German Bob Champions Over Alleged Poaching Attempt

Johannes Lochner accuses Francesco Friedrich of trying to lure his brakeman, sparking a fierce rivalry ahead of the new season.

Johannes Lochner claims Francesco Friedrich attempted to recruit his brakeman, Georg Fleischhauer, violating a supposed agreement not to poach team members.
Friedrich, a 16-time world champion and four-time Olympic gold medalist, denies any wrongdoing, stating there was no formal agreement in place.
Lochner, motivated by the incident, has decided to extend his career by two more seasons, aiming to compete in the 2026 Winter Olympics.
The rivalry intensifies as Lochner, a five-time world champion, vows to dethrone Friedrich, who has consistently placed him in second position in recent years.
The upcoming bobsleigh season will kick off with tests in Winterberg and Altenberg in November, leading up to the World Cup in December and the World Championships in March in Lake Placid.