Even at the tender age of 19, Marianne Vos is a name already in the cycling history books. Winning two elite world titles in her first year as a senior rider is an unbelievable accomplishment for any athlete so we asked UK rider and student journalist, Kim Blythe, to discover the person behind the handlebars.
Who is your cycling hero?
I don't have a real hero, but I admire cyclists such as Erik Zabel, he's a complete cyclist with all kind of skills, he works hard and has stayed at the top for several years now. Paolo Bettini is also another cyclist that I admire. It was great these two men were also on the podium in Salzburg.
How did you start cycling?
When I was five years old my parents bought me my first real racing bike. My brother, Anton, was already racing and I decided I wanted to try it myself, but it wasn't until I was eight that I began to race.
"It's hard to get used to the fact that you are the best of the world, but I will manage - my rainbow jersey helps me with that"
How did you fit in training with school?
I rode to school every day on my 'normal' bike. It was a 24km journey each way. I used that as my base fitness and then did extra training in the evening.
How much did your school support you with cycling?
At school they co-operate very well, they help me if they can. I have some free periods so I don't have to be there all the time. I've also on some occasions had exams and tests moved to a different date to help me.
On the podium at the Fleche-Wallone
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Have you ever tried any other sports?
I've competed in speed skating before, and still do from time to time. When I was a junior I competed at the highest level but I now don't have the time for two sports.
What is your favourite cycling discipline- cyclo cross, road or MTB?
I like all three disciplines, so I can't make a choice in that. They all have their own beauty, tactics and technical things that I like.
Do you have any advice for other young women cyclists that want to achieve what you have?
Keep enjoying your sport and give it all you've got in every race. Always try to get the best out of yourself☺.
Referring to her recent World Cup win and current World Champion jersey we asked Marianne how does it feel to be the best in the world yet again?
Brilliant! It's hard to get used to the fact that you are the best in the world, but I will manage - my rainbow jersey helps me with that ☺.
What did you think your chances were of becoming senior road World Champion in 2006?
I knew I had a good opportunity, if everything went well. I felt myself more as an outsider, but some saw me already as a favourite. When I got away in the first group of 15 riders, I knew I had a chance in the sprint.
"Keep enjoying your sport and give it all you've got in every race. Always try to get the best out of yourself"
Had you been working on your sprint for the race?
Not really, I've got a really quick acceleration. I think that's my strength. I can blast away in a sprint and make a gap on my rivals, which they first have to close down.
Who was your biggest rival in the World Championship race?
In the [2006] World Championship there was a very strong German team, but also Nicole Cooke and Nicole Braendli were riding very well.
Visit www.mariannevos.nl for more info on Marianne
Kim Blythe - the interviewer...
This interview was written by UK road and track racer Kim Blythe, who is studying
studying Sports Journalism at Preston University and still manages to find time for her training as an Elite cyclist.
She has a prolific background on both road and track at home and internationally from Youth to Senior level with several National titles and podium places achieved year on year, including top ranked in category. Kim also represented GB at Senior Women's level in Road Stage racing and competed at Junior and Senior level on Road and Track during brief training periods in Holland and Belgium between studies with consistent high placings achieved. Most recent National Result was 2nd place in the Senior Women's Criterium Championship in September 2005 with the 2006 season being brought to an abrupt halt with a cracked knee cap in a racing crash. September saw a brief return to racing at Westminster and a 5th place achieved in the Women's Tour of Britain support race.
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