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Carlee Taylor on up and down 2014 and return to
Lotto-Belisol |
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November 16th 2014 |
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After spending the first three years of her professional
career on foreign teams Australian climber Carlee Taylor
joined Orica-AIS for the 2014 season. With a strong 2013
season in her legs, 2014 was looking up but it didn't always
go to plan. "It was a roller coaster season. It had its ups
and downs," said Taylor. "Not getting selected for races I had
focused on and was peaking for, but finishing the season off
strong with a podium and being selected for Worlds."
After spending much of the early season supporting her
teammates, Taylor turned her season around with strong
performances in a block of racing in France. The French races
with the Australian National Team saw Taylor finish third on
the final stage and eighth overall at the Tour de l'Ardèche.
Taylor is aiming to carry this momentum forward with the
recent announcement she will return to Lotto-Belisol in 2015.
Below Taylor talks the highs and lows of 2014 and what we can
expect in 2015 as she looks to take on a leadership role.
PelotonWatch: You joined Orica-AIS at the
start of the 2014. After riding for the Australian national
team in Europe and a number of professional teams did it feel
like a coming home of sorts?
Carlee Taylor: Yeah being around Australians
again, and some who I had been teammates or worked with back
in my AIS days did feel like old times. I had been with
European teams the last two years, and going to the only
Australian professional team was great. It is a really good
set up, with great support, staff and riders. But I also loved
my time at Lotto-Belisol, it's where I probably had my best
season and I'm looking forward to returning there.
PW: What were the main differences riding for
Orica-AIS compared to other teams you have ridden for?
CT: Nationals and the support you get whilst
back in Australia, both equipment wise and having teammates in
races. That and the fact that you can put on Hamish and Andy
and they will understand the humour.
PW: You had a strong showing at the Giro Rosa
last year but missed selection this year. Was it disappointing
not lining up at the biggest race of the year?
CT: I will be honest this was probably the
hardest time of my season. My parents had flown over for it
and planned to follow the race. And my program had focused on
this race also. To be told I wasn't racing it was hard. But
that's cycling. Everyone has their ups and downs, but I was
lucky enough to have some amazing friends, teammates and
family around who supported me and in the end it made me
stronger.
PW: You are often seen working on the front
of the peloton for teammates. Is the domestique role one you
enjoy?
CT: I do sometimes get a bit too excited and
ride the front more than I probably should. I can get told
off for that, but moving to Lotto-Belisol is giving me an
opportunity to take more of a leader role. I'm looking
forward to that opportunity and challenge. So I guess I
probably shouldn't ride on the front as much.
PW: Your best result of the season came with
third on the final stage and eighth overall at the Tour de
l'Ardèche. After a long season was it good to finish off with
a strong result?
CT: Yes for sure, I go better with racing.
That stage was actually my 20th day of racing in 28 days. I
had been feeling good earlier in the tour and in the tours
prior [La Route de France and Trophée d'Or Féminin] but it
finally paid off in that last stage in Ardèche.
It's always good to finish on a high note. I think my form
in that tour had a large impact in my selection for the World
Championships.
PW: You again represented Australia at the
World championships. Involved in the crash that took a lot of
riders out of the race. You chased back on but not the race
you hoped?
CT: I think there were about 30-40 others
feeling the same way. To be taken out of the race through a
crash is disappointing.
I was lucky enough to get a spare wheel relatively quickly,
but I still had 2mins to bring back, and as the team cars were
all stuck behind the crash, there wasn't much help until you
got close to the peloton. It was a massive effort and a
burning of a match that wasn't affecting the race, but just
getting me back in the race. But you have to do it.
PW: Announced this week you are heading back
to Lotto Belisol [Lotto Soudal] in 2015. You rode for the
team in 2013. What will you be hoping to achieve
next season?
CT: 2013 was probably my best year. Next
year I want to step up as a rider and become more of a leader.
Lotto-Belisol (next year Lotto-Soudal) have always believed in
me when it came to be becoming more of a leader and to be in a
positive environment like that is something I'm looking
forward to.
I really want to get a good result in races like Flèche
Wallonne and Cittiglio [Trofeo Alfredo Binda] etc. As in the past I've always had to
use energy a bit earlier.
Oh and learning more than just the Flemish swear words and
Belgium sayings that the Lotto-Belisol girls have taught me
because they are saying that they apparently all say, yet I
seem to be the only one that says them! I still have no idea
why my nickname was 'nuts' on the team!
PW: There have been a lot of positive changes
in women's cycling the past couple of years, especially in
2014. What do you think the biggest step has been?
CT: The introduction of La Course I would
have to say was massive this year. I was lucky enough to get
to race it. The experience riding up the Champs Élysées is
something I will never forget.
Equal prize money and how we raced it I think showed how
women's cycling has improved. We are professionals too! |
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