On the 6
th
of January, just before boarding a plane back to Europe, I told everyone in
Australia that I’d see them again at the worlds. I wasn’t completely joking but
it was definitely wishful thinking, I didn’t even get close to getting selected
for the World Championships in 2009.
Ever since
I heard the World Championships 2010 would be held in Melbourne and Geelong I
wanted to be there but the fact that my girlfriend, Kaitlin, is from Melbourne
made this an absolute goal for me. Racing a world championship in one of the
most beautiful countries in the world is one thing but also racing for so many
friends, family and on my training grounds (for about 3 months a year) would
make that one of the most beautiful races I’d ever do.
I would be exaggerating
if I’d say I trained the whole pre-season thinking about the worlds but it I
did think about it a lot whilst riding on the roads around Melbourne. When I
stayed in Geelong the first week of January for the Bay Crits I decided to do a
couple of laps on the course to make sure I’d know the circuit and I could tell
everyone about it. My good friend Wade (from
www.cyclingtipsblog.com) decided to make a video of me and Tiffany Cromwell checking out a lap
of the circuit, watch it here.
Back over
in Europe the season started and the world championships got pushed a bit to
the back of my mind but obviously the closer we were getting to October the
more I was thinking about it. During the criterium period, just after the Tour
de France, I talked to Leo van Vliet (Dutch national coach) for the first time
and I knew it was up to me to show myself in races to get selected. After I did
a good Eneco Tour where I felt really good in a couple of stages I knew I had a
chance and it was a big relief to hear I made it to the pre-selection of 9
riders for the last 3 spots. Unfortunately there was some fierce competition
but after I spoke to the coach on the phone shortly after, I must have
convinced him of my good form in the last races and my possibilities and
motivation for this particular world championships race.
I didn’t know if I’d be in the final selection
until the 8
th of September, my birthday. What a birthday surprise,
the best one I could be getting this year. I did it, I’ll be there in Melbourne
and Geelong on October 3
rd and will see ya all at the worlds!!