Pro cyclists Steve Cummings looks back on his highs and lows of 2008

Nov 4 2008 By James Maloney

HIGHS and lows – everyone has them, but few have experienced such extremities of head-hanging near-misses and adrenaline-pumping victories like professional cyclist Steve Cummings.

The last 12 months has been filled full of joy and sorrow for the 27-year-old from Heswall in Merseyside. Cummings has arguably had one of his best seasons yet among the peloton with his team Barloworld, but struggled to find the same form on the track with Great Britain.

Former Birkenhead North End cyclists Steve’s highs started when he was just 17, becoming the youngest-ever rider to win the Eddie Soens Memorial Race at Aintree Racecourse in 1999 – a record that still stands today.

He then followed that up by being crowed British team pursuit champion in 2001, World and British team pursuit champion in 2005, then Commonwealth and British team pursuit champion in 2006.

But all that was just the prologue, so to speak, as the main act came earlier this year, when the 6ft 3in rider took a stage in the Giro della Provincia de Reggio Calabria, before following that up with victory in the one-day Coppa Bernocchi.

Cummings said: “In 2007, I raced only on the road. I had three days off after the road season and went to Australia to start the track season.

“My motivation was extremely high for the winter 2007/8, as I was trying to get back into the team pursuit team for the Olympics.

“I trained hard through the winter, which is actually summer in Australia, but I struggled to find my best form on the track. This became increasingly frustrating.

“My road form was a lot better and I was getting a lot more success there than on the track. I also enjoyed the freedom road racing gave me. I was obviously delighted with my road form, and I was just trying to convert this onto the track.”
 
The Barloworld rider went from strength-to-strength throughout the 2008 season, finishing fourth on one of the toughest stages of the Giro d’Italia, second in the Tour of Denmark and then second in front of a home crown during the Tour of Britain in September.

Cummings added: “For me, the 2008 season was a case of some highs and some lows. I think that's normal though.

“The low points were generally on the track, but I had some incredible highs on the road.

“The Olympic time trial was a big high – despite losing some time caused by problems with my bike.

“Winning Coppa Bernocchi was also a fantastic day.  The feelings I had during the race were unbelievable – all day I just wanted to go faster.

“The Tour of Britain was great, but also a little frustrating.  I wanted to win, but in the end it wasn't to be.

“It was a great feeling riding through Liverpool, with so many people supporting. We also raced past where my grandad’s flat used to be and that gave me goosebumps.  I would have preferred to be in yellow, but it was still great – mainly due to the amount of support.”

Highs turned to lows once again when Steve, together with fellow Brits Roger Hammond, Ben Swift and Jonny Bellis, were forced to pull out of the men’s Olympic road race because of the stifling humidity in Beijing.

Cummings said: “The conditions in Beijing on the day of the road race were the worst at Olympics, with 96 per cent humidity and 37-degrees.

“I was very disappointed because I had good form and my body didn't work in those conditions.  I also know that my preparation for these conditions were not as good as they could have been due to pro team commitments..

“I was in a  difficult situation. I needed racing and competition, but I also needed heat chamber sessions to prepare for the humidity..

“Unfortunately, it wasn't possible to get both.  I decided the competition was more important – also more chances to win other races – and I hoped the humidity would be kind on the day. I’m a realist and my body couldn’t perform in those severe conditions.”

Having earned himself a bit of a reputation as a ‘Mr Reliable’, with his former team-mate at the now defunct Discovery Channel, Alberto Contador, winner of the 2007 Tour de France, nicknaming him ‘The Motorbike’, Steve puts his success down to his professional attitude  – something aspiring young riders would do well to copy.

Cummings added: “I'm a professional. I turn up on time with a smile.  I’m always in good shape because I look after myself and work hard.

“I like to have my own plan and set my own goals, but I’m not afraid of playing a team role and helping.  I think the most important thing for young riders to remember is that they need to enjoy what they do, work hard and set realistic targets.  Anything is possible.”

Having had such a good season, Steve has not been short of offers to move to other teams. But the Wirral cyclist, who hails from the same part of the world as Chris Boardman, remains loyal to his current team and decided to stay at Barloworld.

Cummings said: “I decided to stay with Barloworld because they believe in me and I can choose my own race program. In 2009, I would like to win more races. It’s difficult to say which ones, but I would like to be in top form at the Giro.”