HEINRICH Haussler spoke exclusively to the Inverell Times about his best year yet. Haussler is currently on a ten-day break in Inverell before heading off to do it all again in 2010.
IT: So Heinrich, you are back in Inverell for the first time in two years. Is it good to be home on a break?
HH: It is good to have ten days off and catch up with everyone. I realsie more and more now as I get older that spending time with my family is more and more important and I am enjoying it.
IT: Do you consider Australia home?
HH: I do. I have mentioned before that I would like to ride for Australia and I hope to have that all sorted by the World Championships (in Australia) in September next year. It is difficult sometimes once you have started with one country and then try to change to another however I do have dual citizenship so we shall see.
IT: How much has life changed since your win at Colmar (Stage 13) of the Tour De France?
HH: It has changed a lot. I am fortunate that I have good people around me and Cervelo and I have just agreed to a new three year deal that will take me through to 2012. I happy with the team and the set up and all the riders are mates which helps.
IT: So winning on the tour has changed how you are seen?
HH: Very much so. There is a lot more media and charity commitments but I welcome it because I know what it means to people and I know what all the help meant to me growing up in a small country town. That’s why I try and use my skills and contacts as best as I can to put back into the sport.
IT: Is cycling truly a team sport or are there individuals who can’t subscribe to that?
HH: I can’t speak for others but I can say that our team is great. We are all mates and no one would think twice about scrificing personal gain for team glory or another individuals glory. You cannot win anything without a good team. Whether it be Thor Hushovd (2009 Green jersey winner) or me vying for the jersey you have to consider that fighting each other effects everyone.
IT: So what is the team like?
HH: We are a ‘test’ team meaning that it is equally important for Cervelo to have good amabassadors of their products as it is to have cycling success. We provide feedback on a range of the products such as Zip Wheels and we get to tell suppliers and distributors how good their products are and what they can do to improve them. So we are a ‘test’ team in the true sense of the word.
IT: Are you the type of cyclist that can ever claim overall honours in the tour?
HH: No. I am about 75kgs and a sprinter. I can climb but you must consider that I have 20kgs extra weight to carry up the hills then guys like Contador and that is a huge difference. If I am to claim any titles in the tour then it would be for sprinting and the green jersey like Thor did this year and like Aussies Robbie McEwen and Baiden Cooke have done previously.
IT: How much longer do you think you will ride for?
HH: Ten years competitively is the shelf life though everyone is different. I hope to then come back to Australia and put into the sport and get involved at grass roots. I love this country and I love the people and the lifestyle.
IT: Your dad Heinrich Sr. has had a profound effect on your career, can you crystalise just how much?
HH: He has done everything he can for me – mum and my other family members too. The time, money, encouragement and effort put into me growing up is immeasurable and if they hadn’t donated their energies to me I would not be here where I am. They have always supported me but never pushed me or demanded anything of me other than want me to be happy. Dad particularly just never stops and keeps giving even when there is nothing left to give. I have seen the results he has enjoyed with the Joeys FC soccer teams and the recent carnival and I think it is great. I am forever appreciative of my support network.
IT: Lastly, I have been told you were a fair soccer player in your youth, how close did you come to trading wheels for balls?
HH: When I was ten or eleven I preferred soccer and was fairly good at it. I still love the game but one day the switch flicked on cycling and I have never turned back.
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