World Championships
Lessons from the World Championships in Belgium 🇧🇪
Coming into the World Championships in Flanders, Belgium, I felt strong—physically and mentally. My altitude training block had gone exceptionally well, and I was eager to have another shot at the world title. From the moment I arrived, I was struck by how much I loved the region. Flanders was stunning: the roads were smooth and fast, the people were welcoming, and the cycling culture was electric. Our team hotel was well-equipped and did a fantastic job supporting us throughout the week.
Time Trial Preparation: Confidence and Strategy
Heading into the Time Trial (TT), I was confident. Earlier in the season, I had beaten all my key competitors in Oostende, and I felt ready to replicate that performance. The day before the race, my coach and I reviewed our pacing strategy. We opted for a negative split—starting conservatively on lap one and ramping up the intensity on lap two. It was a calculated plan designed to maximize my power output and speed.
Race day brought a mix of nerves and excitement. I knew the TT wouldn’t be won in the first section or even the first lap, so I settled into my target pace just below threshold. At the first time check, Abraham, Franz, and I were neck and neck. By the end of lap one, I was sitting in second place—less than two seconds off the lead. I felt like everything was going perfectly to plan.
A Moment That Changed Everything
As I pushed harder through the town section, disaster struck. In a roundabout, I hit a small rock that tucked my front wheel and sent me over the bars. I was mostly okay physically, but my TT bike was broken. Because I had passed several riders in town, my follow car was stuck behind and took nearly a minute to reach me. I swapped to my road bike and kept pushing, but the setup was significantly slower, and I couldn’t claw back the lost time.
Crossing the finish line was one of the hardest moments of my life. I had poured months of preparation into this race, backed by incredible support from Team PossAbilities, Loma Linda University Health, and Team USA. To see that opportunity slip away in such a frustrating way was devastating.
Reflection: Growth Through Adversity
Even now, it’s difficult to write about. But I’ve come to realize that setbacks are part of the journey. What defines us isn’t how many times we fall—but how we rise. It’s easy to dwell on what’s unfair, but negativity won’t move us forward. Belief and hard work will.
This experience taught me valuable lessons—not just about resilience, but about risk versus reward, especially when it comes to equipment choices. For the TT, I ran a highly aerodynamic front wheel with a narrow 24mm tire. While fast, it lacked grip and was vulnerable to road imperfections. The team had a wider wheel/tire combo available, but I opted against it, believing it to be slower. After the race, AeroCoach released data showing the aero difference was negligible. That stung.
Looking Ahead: LA and Beyond
Next season, I’ll be racing with a more balanced setup—still fast, but with better grip and reliability. I’m more determined than ever to come back stronger for the 2026 World Championships in Los Angeles.
Training is already underway. I’ve added rowing three times a week to build core strength, incorporated targeted gym work to address weaknesses on the bike, and invested in a Sauna Box for heat adaptation. I’m also optimizing my diet for body composition while maintaining peak training productivity.
This journey is far from over. Every setback is a setup for a comeback—and I’m ready to write the next chapter.
