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6th Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under - 2.3
Australia, January 20-25, 2004
Rider Diaries
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The Chronicles of Thomas Lövkvist
Nationality: Swedish
Team: FDJeux.com
19 year-old Thomas Lövkvist is a new signing for the successful FDJeux.com team, and has come to Australia to race with the team for the first time. Although not inexperienced with races of the same calibre as the Jacob's Creek Tour Down Under, this is the first time he is starting a 2.3 category race as a part of a first division team.
Starting fresh with a new team
Hi all,
After arriving in Adelaide last Tuesday, all I can say about the flight is that it is one long trip from Europe to Australia. I indulged in quite a few movies during the flight, but the worst part was the fifteen hour stop over in Kuala Lumpur. Let's say I got the guided tour, and I wasn't too impressed. I haven't felt affected by any jet lag though. It's all about staying up as late as you can, and once you've dropped dead and had a good night's sleep, you'll find yourself on Australian time.
Now when I'm here I think it's great to be at a nice hotel during the whole race, and even though I haven't started the race yet, the organisation seems to be good, and the food is great as well. Even though I have met parts of the team before, this is the first time I'll race with them. Since there are quite a few Aussies on the team, English works pretty fine for me, and when it doesn't, I use the pointing method, where I just point at whatever I want.
I have taken part in 2.3 races before, but I haven't raced against riders of this class before. I will feel very relieved after tomorrow, 'cause I'm keen to get the first stage under way. I'd like to see where I stand, because now I don't know if I'll be able to go with the other guys, or if I'll be totally dropped. The speed of those guys is something very different from what I am used to. I've always been able to play a important part in races before, but now I've realised that there are more riders out there who can ride fast. I made the mistake of assuming that some of the heavier guys in the team might not be able to climb as well as I would, since I'm lighter, but I've learnt the hard way now that it is not necessarily true. I found myself behind them, thinking; "How are they doing this?"
When riding for third division team Bianchi Scandinavia last year, I told myself that I would give it one year, and after that I wanted to become a pro. I didn't want to be stuck in third division forever. Most people thought that I was really naive, and maybe I was, not knowing what it was all about, but I've always had very high demands on myself. After a few months riding for that team, I had almost changed my mind, thinking that maybe I would have to wait a long time before I could make my pro debut, but then after my ride at Tour de l'Avenir I got contacted by FDJeux.com, so now it is safe to say that I made it in one year.
Apart from that, the transition hasn't been so severe, because the team is really great. The environment is really relaxed and I haven't felt any pressure. At least not yet! I might find myself sweating soon! As I said, not everyone speaks English, but I haven't felt set aside just because I don't speak French either.
There have been a lot of new faces for me to learn as well, and that has always been a great problem. I remember leaving high school, not knowing the name of everyone in my class. My age is also to my advantage right now, because everyone is letting me get away with things just because I'm young, and I can also use that as an excuse when I mess up: "But I'm only young!"
Talk to you all tomorrow.
Thomas
