Danielson in action
Photo: © Casey Gibson

Tom Danielson had a stellar first half of 2003, winning the Tour de Langkawi and dominating US domestic races along with Saturn team-mates Nathan O'Neill and Chris Horner. Although he managed to defend his Mt Washington hill-climb title the second half of his season was limited by injury, and with the ending of the Saturn team Tom has high hopes for a Europe-based 2004 with Fassa Bortolo.

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Telekom Malaysia Le Tour de Langkawi

Stage 6: Wednesday Feb 5, Marang - Cukai, 136.3 km

Talk of mullets eases the nerves before Genting

The Tour de Langkawi finds itself on the eve of the seventh day and the moral of the Saturn team couldn't be better. Sure, the team has had its share of ups and downs, but with two days to the decisive Genting Highlands stage, everyone is pumped.

So far, so good
Photo: © Yuzuru Sunada

Personally, this tour has been a success for myself. A third in a time-trial that didn't suit my style and making all of the splits on the flat stages has left me quite satisfied.

Though not completely: I have been taught to never be satisfied with your performance - always look for improvement. Both my coach, Rick Crawford, as well as my team have constantly enforced this to me. This race is just one of many opportunities I am given to chase after these dreams and goals we have built for back in December.

With two days to go until the real test to Genting, many more smaller tests will be given by both the race conditions and the other 130 racers I encounter each day. Now lying in second overall after today, I guess I am no longer hidden. Maybe riding with Nathan at the foot of the Saturn train gave that away, but now it's really out.

My personal goal for this race is to go for the overall as well as a good performance on Genting. My team also has that for a goal as they have so valiantly defended the jersey as well as keeping me protected. They are amazing, I could not say more. For the last six days Eric, Tim, and Phil have been driving on the front for over 500 kilometers at an average speed of 45kph! Try riding that for three hours and then think of doing that for four hours everyday, then having to bring some skinny kid up the side of the field for the last 15k's at over 60km/h! These guys are the true champions of the sport.

I also cannot to forget to mention Chris Horner who is the mastermind behind our whole project. He and Anje (our director) have devised plans over the last stages which have left us in the excellent position we are in.

Team morale is great; the staff has been awesome, the meals go down (without coming back up right after), and we have enjoyed a few jokes about mullets from time to time. The phrase: "What is this mullet you speak of?" can be heard over our radios from time to time, echoing our Polish director's confusion when we speak of the "mullet." It definitely lightens up the situation during the tough times of the stages. Also, the nightly phone call to Kristin my loving girlfriend keeps the sanity in check.

Thanks for reading,
TD