Pre-World Championship Interview: Chris Hoy
March 22, 2007
by Larry Hickmott (larryhickmott@britishcycling.org.uk)
Home Page Track Worlds
The only British rider to win Gold at the last Track Worlds was Chris Hoy when he was fastest over a kilometre to win his third title in that event. This year, a different focus and the Team Sprint. Asked what being selected for that event meant to him, he says “it’s been very important. All of us have been working really hard this year to get selected because this years Worlds are a major stepping stone to the Olympics.”
Right: Chris during training this week and a flying 200 metre effort.
“There has been a lot of pressure on all of us leading up to the trials and it was a shame for Jason to be side lined with his chicken pox. Sure, the trial means there was added pressure and stress but it has also been good for us to get the best out of ourselves and hopefully that will show in Majorca.”
In Palma, Chris will be riding the Team Sprint, Keirin and Kilometre. Asked is the Kierin an event he has an eye on for Beijing now that the Kilo has been axed, he replied “it’s certainly an event that I have found some success in this year and is one I have enjoyed. It’s been a change too, a whole different experience, and although not a primary goal for this Worlds, it is an Olympic event so if things go well, then you never know what could happen in Beijing.”
During the training camp, Chris explains that the preparation these last two weeks is all about ‘putting the icing on the cake’ and working at the technical side of things for the Team Sprint as well as sharpening up his speed. “I’ll also be doing some work on the Kilo bike because I have done very little work on it this year. I don’t feel, as far as the Kilo goes, I’m where I want to be because I know Francois Pervis is going to be there and give me a close race. So I’d like to have had some more preparation but I have had to prioritise and the Kilo is not the top one for the Worlds. It will be after the Worlds though when it comes to me doing the world record.”
“It will still be a good ride that beats me though!”
Sprinters are renowned for the short distance events they have to compete in but as Chris explained, the event may be short but the time on the bike during a day of competition still involves many hours of turning the pedals over.
“My warm up normally starts about two hours before with a gentle warm-up on the road bike or rollers. That lasts about half an hour. Then I’ll go onto the track and do two or three short flying efforts (as well as rolling warm-ups before these) and then a few start efforts on race gear. After that, you come off the track and put your head phones on and try and shut yourself off from what is happening around you.”
After that, a final 15 or 20 minute burst on the rollers where the sweat flows freely and its back on the track for the actual event before yet more roller work to warm down. They certainly do pack in the miles!
And speaking of headphones, what is being played on his iPod as he escapes the chaos around him prior to an event? “Chemical Brothers, Prodigy, Foo Fighters, stuff that gets me fired up. I have a play list that I usually listen to with songs that I associate with racing and when ever I hear them away from that environment, it still gives me a buzz after the event is long gone.”
Looking ahead to the World Record attempt (click here >>>>) and asked will it be difficult to hold his form, Chris says “It is a big gap between the Worlds and the record attempt but the change in focus will help. In the short term, I am focusing on the Team Sprint and then after the Worlds, a change is as a good as a rest. I’ll get back on the road bike a bit more and as I’ll be doing only kilo work on the track, hopefully there shouldn’t be any problem holding my form or even building on it.”
Good luck to the Olympic champion in Palma!
