Interview: Emma Johansson

Interview with current World Cup leader and Olympic Silver Medalist Emma Johansson (Red Sun Cycling Team)!

This week Dailypeloton had a short interview with the current leader in the 2009 World Cup and Olympic Silver Medalist Emma Johansson of the Red Sun Cycling Team. The interview:

You had a really good season so far with your win in Drenthe, podium ranks in the other World Cups and lots of podium places in other top UCI races. Did you expect to do that well before the season?
I trained very hard during the winter period. Since last year I knew I could do well in the big races. For the beginning of the season I was hoping it would go well. I know that I trained long and hard this winter but having a good feeling on training is different than racing. You just don't know beforehand if it's good enough.

In action during the women's race in Sinaai (Belgium)
Photo © 2009 Bart Hazen

You switched from the AA Drink Cycling Team to the Red Sun Cycling Team both under sport-director Heidi van de Vijver. What positive influence does she have on you and the team?
Heidi knows all about the sport as a former professional rider. She knows how tough the races are, she knows the tactics and above all she knows the scene. All this has a positive influence on me and the team. We have lots of confidence and we are really happy with how it goes in the current season thus far.

Last year you had a really good second part of the season (regarding results) with your second place in the Olympic Road Race, fourth in the World Road Championships and your win in the Trophee D'Or. Did this have any influence on your performances this season? (Mental change, other training methods, etc.)
The training method is still the same as always. I trained hard for so many years and it's finally paying off with so many great results. I have lots of confidence and hope for more top results in the future.

At the team presentation of the Fleche Wallonne as leader in the 2009 World Cup
Photo © 2009 Bart Hazen

What does your racing schedule look like for the rest of the season?
Amongst others: World Cup Berne, Tour de L'Aude, World Cup Montreal, Emakumeen Bira, Swedish National Championships. After that I will have a small break before preparing the second part of the season with races as the Thüringen Rundfahrt, the World Cup in Sweden and with as main highlight the World Championships in Mendrisio, Switzerland.

Who has inspired you, or currently inspires you to race?
No person at all. The fact is I love competing in races and winning as much races as possible. It's just the feeling of racing and competing against other riders which is enjoyable.

At the podium of the Fleche Wallonne. Emma finished as second behind Marianne Vos.
Photo © 2009 Bart Hazen

What are your further goals for the rest of the season?
My further goals for the season are mainly the World Cups and the World Championships. The overall World Cup was never been a real goal for me, but now I'm leading the standings I'm not going to give it away. Therefore I will also compete in the Montreal World Cup together with the Swedish National team. Next to that I want to win as many races as possible, preferably big races.

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Click on photos for a larger image:

Left: During the team presentation of the GP Elsy Jacobs, Right: On the podium of the Ronde van Vlaanderen (Rank 3)
Photo © 2008 Bart Hazen

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