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Columbia HTC Women

Team Columbia-HTC took some time out to chat to WomensCycling

Team Columbia HTC has had a lot of challenges in the 2009 season. A number of riders took some time out to share their experiences of 2009 so far. WomensCycling.net thanks them for their time. We could not get to all the team but we cover most of them here.

The most successful member of the team in 2009, Ina-Yoko Teutenberg, has sprinted to victory 19 times this year. Her ability to transfer her power skills on the flat to get her over the climbs and finish, makes her the outstanding sprinter for the season so far.   

WCN: What has been your biggest achievement so far in 2009?

IYT:”Tour of Flander biggest victory of year”

WCN:With so many victories in your career and in particular this year, how do you keep motivating yourself to keep racing so hard?

IYT: “Having fun riding my bike, so it is fairly easy getting motivation and winning is extra motivation! “

WCN: What has been the most challenging race for you, both physically and mentally?

IYT: “Reckon the spring one day races are the hardest in the year because it is mentally hard being n top of things at these dangerous races and you need to be in great shape to win them! “

WNC: What do you do to avoid home sickness when travelling so much?

IYT: “I'm not really home sick. It is harder to leave home as I enjoy it there but when I'm gone I'm fine being away.”

WNC: Being the older members of the team, what challenges you most about the younger generation?  

IYT: “It is a big challenge trying to help the kids being the best they can.”

One of the newest members of the team the tall Dutch dual trackie and roadie, Ellen van Dijk has added extra power to the team. Still U23, van Dijk has settled well into the team and is enjoying her new challenge.

WCN: What has been your biggest achievement so far in 2009?

EVD: “My personal biggest achievement of this season was the European TT title -23, to win it twice in a row is great. Especially, because I had some bad luck in the preparation with a concussion.”

WCN: What has been the most challenging race for you, both physically and mentally?

EVD: “We just finished the Thuringen Rundfahrt so that one is fresh in my mind and I think this was the most challenging race so far for me this season. It’s a battle between de l'Aude (which I did other years) and Thuringen, but I think Thuringen wins it. Thuringen is hard because it always goes up or down and we had to defend Linda's leaders jersey. The bad weather didn't make it any easier, but at the end its even more satisfying when you finished it with a great result for the team!” 

WCN: How do you manage to juggle your commitments on the track and the road?

EVD: “It's all about having a good planning. Sometimes it’s hard to combine both disciplines, but when you take some rest periods during the year I think it's possible to do both at a high level. I just love to race so that makes it easier.”

WCN: What do you do to avoid the home sickness when travelling so much?

EVD: “Of course I always have contact with friends and family through phone and email. But because I've very nice team mates as well we also make a lot of fun together :)”

Probably the most experienced and famous of the team members, Judith Arndt will look back on 2009 and reflect on the positives and negatives.

WCN: 2009 will be a year to forget, what have you learnt most about your experiences this year?  

JA: “I think I have learned how to deal with bad luck. Broken bones don't break me.”

WCN: Do you believe it will be possible to get back and fit for the end of the season?

JA: “Yes, I hope I will be able to give a good performance at Worlds.”

WCN: What exercise are you managing to do since you broke your arm?

JA: “I go to physio every day. Yesterday I started with training on the step trainer, and today I started running.”  

WCN: What went through your mind when you crashed for the third time and broke more bones?  

JA: “I couldn't accept that I wasn't able to finish the Giro. I just wanted to get back on my bike, but my director wouldn't let me. And I was very angry about how the crash happened.”

The Danish youngster Linda Villumsen, with roots in both Denmark and New Zealand had to step up and face some tough challenges this season,

WCN: What has been your biggest achievement so far in 2009?

LV : “Thuringen for sure:-)”

WCN: What has been the most challenging race for you, both physically and mentally?

LV : “The Danish nationals are mentally the hardest as everyone expects a victory physically will be L'aude with all the mountains, that really was a hard one to get through.”

WCN: You are still relatively young, how have you adjusted to Senior racing?

LV : “Young is under 23, I am 24:-) I have been racing the senior races since 2004 and so far I have had no pressure from anyone which has given and still gives me time to improve every year.”

WCN: What do you do to avoid home sickness when travelling so much?  

LV : “I keep always something with me that reminds me of home and it keeps me happy to know that no one is further away than a phone call when I really need it.”

WCN: If you could say something to inspire another young rider to take up cycling, what would you say?  

LV : “Even in the times where the road always seems to be hilly and windy it is worth to keep going, achieving goals is worth fighting for, and the hard times will be forgotten when u reach what you dream of! Never give up...”  

One of two Americans on the team Kim Anderson is seen as the experienced and key member of the team. At 41 she is in a minority age group that continues to show that you can continue to excel in cycling past 40.  

WCN: What has been your biggest achievement so far in 2009?

KA: “Putting up with all the "old" jokes :)) !  in all seriousness, I guess it has been winning Thuringen. It was me and all the young'uns and we really came together and won as a Team.”

WCN: You are often team leader on the road. How do you adjust to that? Does this add extra pressure for you to perform?

LA: “I enjoy being one of the leaders because if I can guide or inspire someone to a great result for themselves or the Team. I feel like I can give back and hopefully pass-on wisdom taught to me.”

WCN: What has been the most challenging race for you, both physically and mentally?

KA: “I think Flanders as the peloton is so crazy, there are crashes and it's really stressful before each climb. I don't like scary so much. :))”

WCN: What do you do to avoid home sickness when travelling so much?

KA: “This is really tough and I don't think you can avoid it. I suppose Skype like everyone else and a bunch of kleenex for the occasional cry. :(( But most of all, an amazing boyfriend that helps me day to day!”

WCN: If you could say something to inspire another young rider to take up cycling, what would you say?

KA: “Cycling can take you on adventures around the World and you have the opportunity to meet incredible people.”

WCN: Being the older members of the team, what challenges you most about the younger generation?

KA: “It's different to each, some act more mature than I do, but in general, they are easily effected by the smallest of things. Something that wouldn't even cross my mind can weigh heavily on theirs.”

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