Nat Bromhead
Norway have done it again with young rider Soren Waerenskjold laying down an average speed of just over 50km/h to win the Under 23 Time Trial at the World Championships in Wollongong.
Occupying the hot seat for the final hour of racing, Soren jumped from the chair to celebrate – just as his countryman Tobias Foss did 24 hours ago in the Elite TT.
Young Belgian Alec Sagaert finished 2nd (+16.34) with Leo Hayter of Great Britain third at 24 seconds.
Speaking after the race, Soren Waerenskjold said it was a huge relief to get onto the hot seat.
“But once there It was a roller coaster of emotions … Now I’m really happy,” he continued.
Soren said teammate (and Elite TT winner) Tobias Foss gave him advice to put the power down on the first half of the climb and save energy on the faster parts.
“He reminded me to to stay as aerodynamic and also advised how to take some of the corners, including some to take outside the TT position as some were super fast.”
Asked what the Norwegian secret was – with two wins in two days – Soren said “if you go back two or three years they were saying Norwegians are bad at TT.”
“Maybe for me it has been the preparations. I’ve been in the wind tunnel testing the bike, the suit and the helmet. Plus I’ve been doing a lot of efforts at home on the TT bike. We prepared well and went over the course very closely, every corner.”
“Tobias told me to trust myself and go hard on the climbs and save some energy on the second lap of the steep climb.”
From Ice Cream Rides To The World Champs
Talking about his journey to becoming Under 23 TT World Champion, Soren said ice cream had a lot to do with it.
“It was a coincidence that I got into cycling,” he said. “My sister had a road bike. It started with me eating a lot of ice cream. My mum told me if I could ride 10 or 15km to the store I could buy ice cream … from there I realised I had a talent so it was what I did.”
Today’s World Championships coverage is presented by Wollongong’s Balinese Spice Magic Restaurant at 130 Keira St Wollongong. Bookings can be made via 02 4227 1033 or BSMreservation@gmail.com
