You are competing at home this weekend. What does that change for you?
“Everyone expects me to do well because it’s my national round, but I only competed in it last year. I haven’t completed any more tests or races apart from at the other European tracks. Having said that, it is a little easier because I’ve got my public behind me, in Russian surroundings that I am used to. But that also puts me under a little more pressure because it’s expected that I will get a good result at my home round.”

Will you have special support this weekend?
“All I know is that my family are coming. Actually, I don’t like it too much when my parents are there. It’s easier for me if I’m alone.”

What is your relationship with your family like?
“They don’t put me under pressure, they just support me. But it can be a bit annoying. You know how it is, when parents are there they are asking questions all the time about everything, and I don’t like that too much.”

How do you prepare before race meetings?
“For my physical preparation, I follow the team regime. It’s based on various types of training, such as weights or cardio, and also involves eating plans and things like that. I have a programme prepared for me by the trainer and I follow it ritually on a daily basis. In terms of mental preparation, I just try to stay calm.”

Where do you see yourself in ten years’ time?
“I’ll be 28… so I think I’ll be married! I also hope that I will still be racing. I really hope that I will still be at the sharp end, even if I don’t know where that would be.”

Name a song you’d like to listen to now?
“I listen to everything, it changes all the time! But at the moment, I would have to say Smoking Gun by Indiana.”

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