Grant Ferguson has outlined his ambition to challenge the two dominating forces of cross-country mountain biking, as he enters his final year as an under-23.
All world-class mountain bikers are judged against Julien Absalon - double Olympic and five-time world champion - and Nino Schurter – three time world champion – and they are the mark for which Ferguson feels he must aim.
Part of British Cycling’s Olympic Podium Programme, Ferguson said that his goal of winning big world cup races was something he was “thinking of all the time.”
In order to accomplish that goal, the 21-year-old from Peebles is analysing how he can close the gap, before moving to the elite category in 2016.
“You’ve got to see where they’re at, to see the challenge” Ferguson explained.
“It’s my last year of under-23, it’s quite a big year, the year after I’m in their race and I have to work out how to be competitive against them.
“I’m already looking at that. I’m looking where I can improve and where they are making time on me.”
When quizzed on exactly where the time was being made, Ferguson was brutally honest.
“They could be making time anywhere and it’s my job to work out how I can get to that level.”
Fortunately, last season Ferguson recorded some encouraging results in the under-23 world cup, posting lap times comparable to the top-20 elite men and scoring a podium age-category finish.
The result was not only a confidence boost but an important learning experience.
“Racing the boys at the front of world cups is important. To race top ten at world cups is fine – you can do that all the time – but to be at the front is totally different, it’s about making that step. And when you move to elite it’s another step again.”
With the mountain bike world cup not scheduled to start until May, Ferguson’s extended off-season schedule includes a trip to Australia and the Sun Tour.
The five-day stage race is his first road competition since the Commonwealth Games and with the Australian season in full flow, Ferguson is realistic about his chances.
“I think the main thing is it’s Australia summer time; they’ll be riding how we ride in the summer in the UK. They are going to be riding really quick. All I hope is that I’ll have the speed required from the cross racing I’ve done.
“I’m quite happy with how fit I am. What I am doing is working and I’m moving forward, but in terms of a race plan there’s nothing confirmed. I’ve had a look at the maps so I know what’s coming at me but in terms of the race I’m not sure.”
