|
by Alicia Hopkins
Prologue Critérium du Dauphiné-Libéré 2007
Career Highlights:
2007
2nd - Stage 5 in Giro d'Italia (PT) - 173 km - 17 May
2nd - Stage 7 in Giro d'Italia (PT) - 254 km - 19 May 2006
Victories:
Gent-Wevelgem (PT) - 210 km - 5 April
Points Competition Vuelta a España (PT) - 3130 km - 26 August-17
September
Points Competition Volta a Catalunya (PT) - 1020 km - 15-21 May
Points Competition Quatre Jours De Dunkerque (2.HC) - 900 km - 3-7 May
Prologue Tour de France (PT) - 7.1 km (ITT) - 1 July
Stage 20 Tour de France (PT) - 154.5 km - 23 July
Stage 6 Vuelta a España (PT) - 177 km - 31 August
Stage 7 Critérium du Dauphiné-Libéré (PT) - 131 km - 11 June
Stage 3 Volta a Catalunya (PT) - 176.7 km - 17 May
Stage 4 Tirreno-Adriatico (PT) - 219 km - 11 March
Who was the most influential in encouraging you to become a professional
cyclist?
That was my friend Dag Otto Lauritzen. We are both from the
same town in Norway, Grimstad. So when he became a good cyclist, I said to
myself, I can do the same! As an amateur, what race did you want to win when you became a professional?
Nothing is bigger then the Olympics for a Norwegian. And
when I was an amateur, I never really followed cycling that much. In 1998, you won Paris-Roubaix Espoirs, and with the exception of your win at
Gent-Wevelgem in 2006, your career is dominated by stage wins in the most
prestigious races in the world. Are the cobbled classics something you would
like to focus on in the future? I still believe that I can win Paris-Roubaix and Flanders,
and they are my goals every year. Just need time, and one day I am gonna hit them.
Tirreno-Adriatico 2007
You have ridden for
Crédit Agricole since 1999, what would
you say are the greatest strengths of the team?
This is my 8th year on the team, so now I know how
everything works and that makes me relax and confident. They give me time, and
always trust in me. But the main thing I prefer with Credit Agricole is the
mentality.
What are your strengths and weaknesses both on and off the bike?
My strength on the bike is my power in the sprints, and I
can sometimes go strong in the climbs. My weakness is that I’m big and heavy, so
I can suffer big time in the mountains.
My strength off the bike is that I don’t think to much of
cycling. I Like to do something else, where my head is far off my bike. My
weakness is that I love all food, and then get to fat
J
Hushovd atop the leader board at the 2006 Vuelta a España Who do you regularly train with?
Mads Kaggestad
Is your mother really that good of a cook? You are at the Giro after all, how
does mamma mia compare?
Mamma mia is nothing compared to mum. She makes the best
meals ever. Especially the Norwegian meatballs!!!
If you were to name your top three goals for the remainder of the season,
what would they be?
My wedding in October
The green jersey in the Tour de France
The Worlds Championship
I wish to thank the "god of Thunder" for his tact and playfulness in his
answers, and hope he smashes his way through the field for many sprint
victories.
| 
