The Time Trial World Championships for U23s ended with a real thriller on Monday. Alec Segaert, the last man on the course, collapsed like a pudding in the final stages of the time trial, allowing Jan Christen to just clinch the last podium spot in his home country. However, it was clear from the footage after the finish that he too had had a hard time, as he had to vomit on the asphalt. IDLProCycling.com spoke to him about it.
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Ultimately, a bronze medal was the maximum achievement for the Swiss. "I was nervous in the hot seat, especially as the last riders crossed the finish line. I was shaking because it wasn't my best day. The fact that I ultimately won a medal makes me very satisfied, especially since I did not feel great."
Jan, we saw the footage on TV. Can you describe how you felt at that moment?
"Actually, I had wanted to throw up during the time trial already. At the beginning of the time trial, I felt very good, I was completely in my own world on the bike. At some point, I started having stomach pain. I don't know where it came from. Maybe I ate something bad. But from that moment on, I really wanted to vomit. I couldn't breathe well because it was rising to my throat. In the last five or six kilometers, I didn't feel pain in my legs, but mainly in my throat. When I crossed the finish line, everything came out immediately."
How do you feel now then?
"I don't feel my stomach anymore, but I also haven't been able to eat much. So, I'll be glad when the doping check is over and I can eat something at the hotel."
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What does this time trial tell you about the road race on Friday, where you are also one of the favorites?
"It's my main goal of the season, but it's not easy to deliver in your own country. We saw that again yesterday (he's referring to compatriot Stefan Küng in the elite time trial, ed.). So, I'm glad I already have a medal in hand. I've already shown this season that I belong among the best under-23 riders in the world, so in that sense, I don't need to prove myself anymore. I'm mainly going to try to enjoy the race and I'll definitely try something, but I don't feel any pressure. I'm going to attack full-on."
How do you look back on your season so far, with three pro wins under your belt as a twenty-year-old?
"I am more than satisfied. This was my first year as a professional and I'm still very young, so I don't think there are many riders who can claim three professional wins right away. So, I'm more than satisfied with that."
What can you still improve?
"I'm not worried about that. If I can continue in this vein, then at some point I'll be able to compete with the best in the world. Hopefully, I can show that as early as Friday."
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