Confirmed recently as joining Lotto Belisol for the 2014 season and having the intention to step things back up after concentrating on her PhD and triathlons this year, Emma Pooley has set out two clear objectives for the months ahead.
When on form the Briton is one of the best climbers and time trialists in the sport, and if she is in top condition will be a contender for both events.
“Next season my focus will be on the Giro Rosa and the Flèche Wallonne, that will be the most important races for me,” she said. “I’ll see with the team what other races I will take part in, but those two are my main goals.”
Pooley has twice finished second overall in the Giro Rosa and it remains one of the biggest targets for her. Her chances of topping the podium in 2014 will depend in part on what the route profile is like.
“It depends a bit on the course of the Giro, but if I participate in a race I try to win it. That doesn’t automatically mean I can win it but that’s what I aim for,” she said.
“You should always aim for your best and then you’ll see where you end up. I’ll probably be also happy with a podium place, but I have never won the Giro and of course I would like to be the best one day. And in the Flèche Wallonne I’ll try for a second victory.”
She won the Classic in 2010 and has the ability to do so again.
Looking further down the line, adding an Olympic gold to the world championship TT victory she already has to her credit is a big target.
“In the further future I’d like to aim for Rio 2016, but that depends partly on the course as well. If it suits me I will definitely aim for the time trial,” she said. “My plan is to race until 2016 if I can.”
Pooley has had to hold back slightly in recent years due to the intensity and pressure of her PhD but the end is now in sight and she can feel the weight of that leaving her shoulders. As she explained in a long interview recently with VeloNation, she has dealt with the pressure of that for quite some time, and feels considerable relief that the work is almost done.
She has now spoken about that again, and confirms that she plans on also continuing her triathlon ambitions.
“In December I will finish my studies. It has been a really hard year combining it with cycling. Now there’s lots of pressure with the final exams coming up, but next year I focus on sport full-time,” she said. “I find I really enjoy combining different sports. Sometimes you need to focus on one discipline to get the best from it, but I love other sports as well and next season I’ll try to combine road racing and triathlon again.
“I think it’s good for my head to have that challenge. I’ve agreed this with the team and we will plan it carefully, so it doesn’t damage my commitment to the Lotto Belisol Ladies.”
She added that she is also motivated by the thoughts of helping other riders on the team, particularly the young, developing riders who have yet to build up the experience and tactical nous that comes with years of racing.
That said, she knows that the Lotto Belisol team she is heading to is different to the Bigla squad, with which she had a mentor role in 2013.
“They already got experienced riders, even young riders who I know like Amy Cure or some of the Belgian youngsters. There’re very smart already and don’t need someone to tell them the tactics necessarily. There a lot of races where they’ll be better than me.
“But if I can pass on my experience in some races I’d be really happy to do this.”
Also see: Emma Pooley Interview: Former world TT champion and Flèche Wallonne winner to target important events in 2014