Olympics more important than Tour de France: Julian Dean
7/8/2008 17:12
The Olympic Games is more important than races like Tour de France, said a
New Zealand cyclist today.
"For me, I am given a chance to represent my
country, and Beijing Olympics is the top course for countries of all over the
world," said the New Zealander Julian Dean at a news conference held in the Main
Press Centre (MPC) of the Olympiad, who participated in the Tour de France last
month.
The 33-year-old cyclist disclosed riders in European countries top
Tour de France, world championships and world cups as their favorites.
He
also said unlike world championships, Tour de France, which could be controlled
by teams, the nature of Olympics was very different.
"Specially for cycling,
we are used to race with teams at races such as world championships, Tour de
France. The races are well under control, and the teams can master what can
happen, but the Olympics is much more difficult to predict than a normal one,"
said Dean, who finished 15th at the Athens Olympics.
"It is a big game, and
anything can happen at any time," he added.
As to the upcoming Olympics, the
second-time comer said he was in good form and was nearly more ready. "My
condition came quite well last week after Tour de France. The confidence is
there, and I'm feeling happy with my health," he said.
Dean didn't discard
the possibility of winning a medal at the Olympiad. "You know the capabilities.
You know the course. You know the riders. There's nothing else to really think
about. You are set to get there and do what you can," he said.
But he
admitted the big challenge came from two Spanish riders - Tour de France
champion Carlos Sastre and world champion Oscar Freire - and Italian Paolo
Bettini, who was crowned at the Athens Olympics.
Joanne Kiesanowski, who was
also at the conference, said she didn't have an aspiration to win an Olympic
medal. "I have a picture on my mind and I will ride where I can," said the New
Zealander, who was 17th at the Athens Olympics.
"It's hard to ride. Big
groups have more chances. We are only two riders, but I can attack," she
said.
Xinhua
|
