STIRLING – After sitting in the hot seat for well over an hour with the fastest time of the time trial, Chloe Dygert and her very hoarse voice stopped in front of the journalists To reconnect the thread that had broken in 2020 on a descent in the Imola time trial. Her hair tied back, her gaze sparkling.
She was the reigning world champion having beaten Van der Breggen and Van Vleuten the previous year, when he lost control of the bike on a downhill bend and ended up against the guard rail, which like a blade it cut the muscles of his left leg.
Three very hard years
The chase required time and patience. And if the American already moved everyone by winning the national time trial championship in 2021 then snatching seventh place in the Tokyo Olympic race, the real return is dated 2023. In the middle in fact, A very bad case of mononucleosis and a heart surgery have wiped out 2022.
«Yes, getting this far – he said yesterday afternoon – was definitely a difficult road. It's been a very tough three years.There were times when I didn't care about my life anymore. I thought I'd never be okay again. After the accident in Imola, I lost 3 inches in circumference of my left leg and for now it's still an inch smaller. I still have pain at times, like in my back, when my body starts to compensate."
How did you manage to overcome it?
Again, I didn't face it alone. I have a huge support network surrounding me, from the coaching staff of my team and the national team, to my family. I owe a lot to all of them. At the beginning of the season there was some discussion as to whether I would race again., so if I'm here in the winner's chair, it's also thanks to the tremendous support of everyone behind me. This means a lot to us. We believed in God's plan and for that I am truly grateful."
Why was there a question as to whether you would continue?
In November I had to have heart surgery for an arrhythmia which took away my peace of mind. The surgery helped, but I'm still coming to terms with it. There are moments while I'm pedaling when it seems like the problem is trying to come back. It's scary. If it happens during an important moment of the race, I have to stop and let it pass, because at that point my life would be at stake.
At that point, however, were you able to leave again?
One month after the operation I was sick for about four weeks. So I had an accident during a training camp with the team and I tore a muscle in my already injured leg. So technically I didn't start training until March. I went to Washington State to do it, where I had already trained previously. I did a month of very intense work and then I came to Europe and I started with the Return, my first race of the year, then Burgos, London Ride Classique and the Giro d'ItaliaI usually don't like long runs like this, but they allowed me to find excellent condition.
Why are you voiceless?
I spent a long time in the velodrome and I think there were many illnesses going on there. I was just unlucky to get somethingToday is the fifth day of this cold, if the time trial had been a day earlier, I don't think I would have been able to race.
Why?
When I run, I need to smell the raceIt was a great benefit for me this morning when I woke up, to be able to smell the air a little. So I got on the rollers, pedaled for 30 minutes and my legs felt decent.. In the last week, I have never cycled for more than an hour, so mentally I tried to understand whether or not I would have the strength for the time trialLuckily, I had a few more days to recover.
Why such short distances?
I had only done the track work, so this time trial It was definitely 16 kilometers too long (the elite women ran the distance of 36,2 kilometers, ed.). From a certain point on, I couldn't catch my breath and I started to feel tired..
And how did you handle it?
I was nervous. I knew Grace Brown was coming and that the ending was very fitting for her. I knew she would be one to watch. I did everything I could to get to the finish lineI'm really lucky that it was even enough to win.
Can your story be inspiring, in your opinion?
Maybe so, but it's hard for me to say living there. I'm just trying to be a better person, every day, on and off the bike.I just hope that everyone knows everything I do and how I act.
Are you aiming for the road race on Sunday?
The time trial was my main goal. If I don't feel 100 percent for the road race, I won't take away space from the team.I'll make the decision in the next few days to see if I've recovered. But if I feel good, then yes, I think it will be a good race. It's going to be tough and I can't wait, because we have a really strong team..
The 2020 injury occurred during a time trial, but you won the pursuit here first. Which victory gave you the most emotion?
This is a good question. Every time you wear the rainbow jersey, every time you listen to your national anthem, it's an absolute honor. Because we're all working for this moment. I have a history. I have injuries I've had to overcome. I had to work as hard as everyone else to get to this point.And at the end of the day, I wouldn't feel like changing anything about what I've experienced. We all have obstacles to overcome. So I can't say whether it was better to win the pursuit or this time trial. I think it's ultimately an absolute honor to be able to wear this shirt.
Can we say that the dark times are behind us?
I've been trying to come back for three years and I feel like this was the first successful attemptI'm really grateful and happy. I'm not 100 percent yet, but I'm in good health. I can't wait for the World Championships to end to see how my fitness level is.
