Robert Förstemann (born 5 March 1986) is a German track cyclist specialising in the sprint disciplines and world champion in team sprint in 2010. In his later career he has transitioned to Paralympic track cycling, representing Germany as a sighted 'pilot' in tandem events at the 2020 Summer Paralympics. In 2023, Förstemann piloted Thomas Ulbricht to a silver medal in the tandem B sprint and a bronze medal in the tandem B kilo at the 2023 UCI Para-cycling Track World Championships in Glasgow.

Major results

undefined

Olympics 2012

The German Olympic team used a loophole in the International Cycling Union (UCI) regulations to include Förstemann as an additional member of their 2012 sprint cycling team. He was also included in the German team for the mountain bike event.

Physique

In July 2012, a photograph of Förstemann's legs was widely circulated by the world's media during the 2012 Summer Olympics. Described as a 'quad off' with Olympic team-mate André Greipel, the photo showed his quad muscles compared with those of the road cyclist. His thighs were measured with a circumference of 73 cm. A circumference of 34 in has also been recorded, and the size of his quad muscles has led to him being called "Quadzilla" by some in his sport.