Norwegian encouraged, wants to get into decent shape prior to BMC Racing Team training camp
Finally over the virus which caused him to have the worst season of his professional career, former world champion Thor Hushovd is feeling stronger and working hard in order to ensure that his 2013 will bring a return to form.
“It's great to ride a bike when you experience that the body works,” a relieved Hushovd told TV2. “It has not been like that for a long time, but it is like that now.”
The BMC Racing Team rider signed a lucrative deal with the squad towards the end of last year, moving there after a year with the Garmin – Cervélo team. He was taken on board as the 2010 world road race champion and someone who had picked up two stage wins in the 2011 Tour de France; Paris-Roubaix was seen as an attainable goal for the Norwegian, but so too success in other races.
However things didn’t go at all as well as had been anticipated. He picked up fifth on a stage of Paris-Nice but that was unfortunately the high point for Hushovd; he was below his normal level in the Classics, and dropped out of the Giro after just five stages.
As a result of his tiredness and lack of condition, he was forced to miss the Tour de France, then the Tour of Poland and the Olympic Games.
He continued to try to get back into shape prior to the end of the year but finally called it quits for his 2012 racing on August 15th, when it was announced that his season was at an end.
In July his coach Atle Kvålsvoll told TV2 what the problem was. “After the Giro, he was diagnosed with a viral infection that was holding him back since the beginning of the season. This is mononucleosis or a similar disease…we don’t know exactly when he will be recovered.”
However Hushovd had recovered sufficiently by October to be able to say that he wanted to remain in the sport until 2016 at least.
“It's the head that decides, but right now I'm really motivated. I feel that I have four more years. Four good years,” he told NRK.no, making it clear that the Olympics in Rio could be a goal.
Hushovd has been training from his home in Monaco and wants to be in decent shape for the upcoming BMC Racing Team training camp.
“I have not tested how much the body can handle, or gone over the limit. At this point it is important to build up the body gradually, so I have a decent foundation,” he explained.
“The first real test will be on 10 December. That’s when the BMC camp starts, and there will be more - and harder - training there than what I have tried for many months.”
If all goes well there, he’ll get considerable encouragement that he’s on track for a far better 2013 season. Once again, winning Paris-Roubaix will be his biggest goal.