Robert Forstemann and his massive thighs. Photo / Getty
Cycling freak Robert Forstemann famous 74cm circumference thighs are just as confronting now as they were during his London Olympics campaign.
The 33-year-old German has stunned the world all over again more than six years after his most recent major individual competition.
The man known around the sporting world as "Quadzilla" was the No. 1 trending sport story on Reddit Sport on Tuesday yesterday after fresh pictures emerged of the track cyclist's explosive pistons, in all their freakish 74cm glory.
Forstemann was quoted last month confirming his leg cannons are still the same intimidating size they were when he made headlines around the world during his 2012 London Olympics bronze medal campaign in the team sprint competition.
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It's why nobody is surprised seven years later, that images of the weaponised legs are still shocking people on social media.
And now it's about to happen all over again.
Forstemann is returning to the big stage at the 2020 Paralympics in Tokyo as the pilot for German teammate Kai Kristian Kruse.
The former world champion sprint cyclist competed last month in the Manchester Para-cycling International event where he and Kruse moved closer to Tokyo 2020 qualification.
It is a remarkable comeback for Forstemann, after there were fears for his cycling future following a heavy velodrome crash at 70km/h in January.
He suffered a broken collarbone, two broken ribs and a broken left shoulder blade and was rushed to hospital for emergency treatment when he fell in the Six Day international cycling series event in Bremen, Germany.
View this post on InstagramWe are ready for the competition...🚴🏻♂️🚴🏻♂️🚀🚀
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Having been unable to train for several months, Forstemann has hit the gym hard recently in a bid to prepare for Tokyo — and keep his famous thighs inflated to comic-book levels.
Forstemann last year explained to Men's Health how he has been able to keep his legs in such freakish condition, despite no longer competing at the highest levels of international track cycling.
He told the magazine, he worked hard to be known around the world as "Quadzilla" — and he's not going to let the world forget it.
View this post on InstagramWaiting for the next goals... kit by @saddledrunk 🚀🚀🚴🏻♂️🚴🏻♂️
A post shared by Robert Förstemann (@robertfoerstemann) on
"It's an honour for me to have my own nickname. Everybody who hears the name 'Quadzilla' knows that it means Robert Forstemann so of course it's a great thing," Forstemann said.
"It was an honour to get this as a track cyclist because I'm not a bodybuilder or something like this."
He revealed to the magazine the astounding weights program that accompanies his explosive speed cycling training that have combined to create his famous tree trunks.
Squats, deadlifts and leg press lifts are all part of his regular workout routine.
Typically, when in competition, he says a workout includes a squat of 280kg with 1-3 reps over 4-6 sets.
His deadlift usually involves 4-8 reps across 4-6 sets with 240kg on the bar.
The end result is the most unforgettable legs in cycling.
View this post on InstagramQuadzilla a little bit damaged tonight... 😳😂🎃
A post shared by Robert Förstemann (@robertfoerstemann) on