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A late bloomer- The Tom Danielson diary
Tom Danielson's top 10 in last year's Vuelta a Espana provided Discovery with enough evidence to nominate him as their sole Vuelta leader.
Danielson is a relative late-comer to the sport and is still learning his trade. He will be detailing his progress in this special diary for Cyclingnews during the race.
September 13: Feeling the difference
Hi there Cyclingnews readers,
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I am getting better and I hope to improve more today and tomorrow, and then in the time trial. I felt good yesterday [Stage 16] and tried to go in a lot of breakaways at the beginning of the stage. I wasted a lot of energy doing that but I was hoping to be in a break and try for the stage win from there.
Now it is not possible for me to be in the early breakaway, so I will just be concentrating my efforts on the end of the race.
It was good for the morale to be attacking at the end. I didn't quite have the confidence to follow those big attacks - I would kind of hesitate and watch them attack, thinking, 'wow, that is impressive'. Then I would start pedalling and see that I could be there [and get back to them]. That is going to be good for my confidence from now on, and for me, I am entering the last week very motivated.
Who knows what is possible, as regards a stage win or other goals? I am going to give it everything I have and we will see. A lot of it is luck and how the race plays out. I mean, who knows - perhaps on one stage I will be the first guy to the top of the climb but there will be a breakaway, or I could have a bad day. You never know in bike racing and the level I am at in my career right now, I am not at the point where my body is just programmed. This is really my third full Grand Tour.
That said, I can definitely feel a difference and I can definitely feel my body responding well; last year, I was completely on the limit in the final week whereas this year I feel quite well. That is a big difference, and I think the next Grand Tour will be better... I will know my body better.
From what Johan says, I think I will be doing the Tour next year. That will be my goal and I hope after this race we will get ready for next season and come out swinging.
2006 entries
Vuelta a Espana
- September 16: Looking towards home
- September 14: Inspiration to fight back
- September 13: Feeling the difference
- September 9: Three tough days
- September 7: Aiming for the TT
- September 3: Feeling stronger, but playing the team role
- September 2: Dealing with disappointment
- August 30: First time in the mountains
- August 29: So far so good
Giro d'Italia
2005 entries
2004 entries
2003 entries
Profile and interview
- An interview with Tom Danielson: Hill climb star, new Saturn signing and 'Next Big Thing'
