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Future Champions Lizzie Armitstead (Cervelo Test Team/ Great Britain) and Megan Dunn, Australian National Team On this page >> Interview Photos There are many talented young cyclist around the world. Over the next few weeks in the run up to the Melbourne World Championships and Commonwealth Games, we will chat with some of the stars of today and the future. Lizzie Armitstead (Cervelo Test Team/GB) Lizzie Armitstead is a world champion British track and road racing cyclist. She is a member of British Cycling's Olympic Academy and has represented Great Britain internationally. She has also won a silver medal in the Scratch Race at the Junior World Track Championships in 2005, she is also U23 European Scratch Race Champion and came second in the Points Race in 2007. Armitstead was a member of the gold medal winning team pursuit squad at the 2009 Track World Championships, her second appearance at a senior world championship event. She also competed in the scratch race, where despite being brought down in the closing stages of the race, jumped back on to claim the silver medal. She completed the championships with a full set of medals, winning bronze in the points race whilst riding with her right wrist numb and strapped up — she was only able to move her forefinger and thumb. In 2009 she joined the Lotto-Belisol cycling team and rode a number of top level road races. She won the under 23 category of the British National Road Race Championships and the silver medal in the senior category after some controversy. She is a key member of the current Cervélo Test Team in 2010. WCN: At 21, 2010
has been a year where you have really stepped up in the pro ranks, what
has been the most challenging aspect for you? EA:The
most challenging aspect for me has been the fact that I have had to perform
at every race. I feel a responsibility to be in good shape at every race as
the team success depends on that. WCN:
You have ridden Track and road this year what has been the best experience
so far? EA:My
best experiences this year have been on the road, my preparation for the
Track Worlds was hampered by injury and illness and I think that reflected
in my results. The track Worlds were filled with pressure and expectation
and I didn't have the form to deliver. I have had no pressure in the road
season, every time I have had a result or a team result it has been a bonus
because I didn't expect anything. The Tour de Laude was really good, we rode
really well as a team and Emma is a very gracious team leader! WCN:
How do you compare the level of racing in the UK to what you are
experiencing around the world? EA:I
haven't raced in the UK since I was a Junior except for the National
Championships. The level is much higher in Europe, we don't have the same
strength in depth in the domestic seen as in the rest of Europe. WCN:
Are you learning another language while in Europe? EA:I'm
trying to, but properly not hard enough! I need to learn Dutch really as I
live in Belgium. I'm hoping to surprise some team mates next year when I
understand more than they think I do! WCN:
If you were going try to emulate the achievements of another rider in the
peloton, who would it be and why? EA:I
have a lot of respect for lots of riders in the peloton but there is nobody
specific I would like to emulate, after all they are my competitors. Any
rider who has combined the track and road and been successful is
inspirational. WCN:
How are you dealing with being away from home so much? EA:I
am lucky that I have been able to create a home from home. I live with my
boyfriend who is also English and a rider. That makes things easier. If I
want to I can be home after a days drive. My family come and visit when they
can but to be honest I would rather they use their holiday from work going
somewhere sunny and enjoyable! I am home during the Winter, I make the most
of that time. WCN:
What key goals do you have this year? Are you close to achieving them? EA:My
goals this year were to compete in my first Omnium and see where I could
make improvements. I learnt a lot form riding this event at Worlds and I'm
looking forward to working on my weaknesses in the Winter. I wanted to
contribute to the success of Cervelo Women's team, I think I have achieved
that goal. WCN:
Do you take part in other sports? EMAIL
don't get chance too as I am racing all year round. I miss being able to do
other sports without worrying about getting injured. WCN:
Do you consider yourself as role model for other young riders? EA:I
don't really consider myself to be a role model, i would like to be. If
younger riders can look at me and think that they want to achieve something
similar in a similar way then that would be nice and I would always try to
help if I can. WCN:
Is cycling in your family? EA:Everybody
has a bike but I was the first person to start racing. My family are really
active and supportive but cycling is not something that I go home and talk
about too much, I like it that way. My older brother had just started racing
which means I might have somebody to drag out training in the winter! WCN:
If you could change anything about Women’s cycling right now what would
that be and why? EA:It
would be good if there was more investment in women's cycling, I understand
the reasons why not. I think the biggest step forward could come form the
uci, running women's races alongside men's races could increase our exposure
and popularity. WCN:
What do you do to relax? EA:I
sleep a lot, whenever there is spare time at a race i sleep, I
don't really turn my computer on unless we have a lot of spare time. I enjoy
reading, romantic books normally! At home I enjoy spending time with
friends, shopping, dreaming about how to decorate my apartment! WCN:
What was the last book you read, would you recommend any good reading? EA:The
last book I read was 'The Reader' it was pretty good and makes you think
about even when you have finished reading. If you like trashy novels,
Celcillia Ahern is good! WCN:
With the pressure to gain track points for the Olympics will you be riding
the Commonwealth Games in Delhi ? EA:I
am riding the road race at the Commonwealth games, it means I have more
pressure to perform in the track World Cups but I wasn't going to turn down
an opportunity to represent England, it will be great as I know my friends
and family will be behind me. WCN:
The 2012 Olympics are less than 2 years away, given that Britain won the
last Olympic RR with Nicole and won medals in the TT with Emma do this put
more pressure on the team? EA:There
will be a greater expectation from the media but if you can keep your focus
and avoid getting to nervous, it shouldn't really make any difference. WCN:
If you hadn’t decided to be a professional cyclist what would you have
done? EA:I
would be travelling around the World deciding what I want to do.
Palmares 2010 ;2009 ;2008 2007 2006 Megan Dunn (Australian National Team) Every country wants to build their talent for the future and in particular be ready for the 2012 Olympics in London. Australia is no different. The various state programs and Talent identification schemes have generated some interest in cycling, but the deep talent comes from those who have grown up riding their bikes and have a instinct for racing. Megan Dunn is one of the riders for the future. She began cycling at the age of three and soon followed her older brother to the local cycling track where she began competing at the age of six. Dunn, jumped in to limelight becoming the youngest winner of the annual criterium series in Australia, the Bay Classic. At 16 Megan managed to beat many riders more experienced than her on both the local and internal stage. Dunn went on to win the scratch and points races at the UCI Junior Track World Championships in 2008, and was also a member of the gold medal winning team pursuit squad. As a junior Dunn had succeeded on road and track and in 2008 she was awarded Australian Junior Female Track Cyclist of the Year. Womenscycling chatted to her after her first World Cup experience in Sweden. WCN:
This is your first year as a senior rider, what has been the most
challenging aspect for you? Thank
you, Megan for your time and good luck for the rest of the season. Palmares
Photos Click on any image to enlarge >> To come
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