MTB
Read all about who the Swedish XCO rider will be riding for this season, what changes she’s made to her program and what plans she has for the upcoming World Cup season.
After a rollercoaster of a season last year, Sweden’s brightest star on the U23 XCO World Cup circuit Ida Jansson announces that she is joining a new team for the 2019 season. Her new team, Art-V Cycling, is based in her hometown Falun and is a team with which she has some very close-knit connections. But will this mean any big changes to her racing schedule, will she still do a full World Cup season and how does she feel heading into the first few races of the year? Keep reading to find out.
Hi Ida! Tell us about your new team setup for 2019?
I will be racing for the Art-V Cycling Team which was set up by my brother and two of his friends a few years ago and is based in our hometown Falun. It feels incredibly fun and heartwarming to be able to join the team as I have such a strong personal connection with everyone on it. The team’s main focus has previously been on national and international Cyclocross races, but this year the team will also be present at the UCI MTB World Cup. I will keep riding a Specialized through my sponsorship with Specialized Nordic, something I am very happy about as I really like their products.
How does it feel to ride for a Swedish team?
To ride for a Swedish team, together with people with whom I have a very strong and close bond with feels inspiring and also comforting and safe. Getting to bring a Swedish team onto the World Cup circuit feels amazing and hopefully it will be an international step forward for Swedish mountain biking as well.
Will the new team setup mean any big changes for you compared to previous years?
I’ve already made a few changes this winter, especially to my winter training program. I’ve spent most of my training period up in Åre. It’s been very inspiring and I feel like I’ve grown a lot on a personal level, and hopefully on a physical level as well.
Now that the season is just around the corner there are no big changes coming up - I go back to the same training regime as before. I am also really looking forward to spring and to start racing again.
Does the new team mean any changes to your race schedule?
My racing arrangements will not change with the new team - I go on just like before. I kick off the race season in the beginning of April with a few races in Europe and Sweden before heading to the first XCO World Cup in Albstadt, Germany, at the end of May. I will race the full U23 XCO World Cup season, which is also my main goal for the season as well as the World Championships.
How do you feel about the coming season and what will your focus be the next few months?
I feel extremely excited and ready to go, but I also feel calm in a way that I haven’t before. I think it is because I’ve got a good routine and more experience now. Focus will be on building up to and preparing as much as I can for the race season, and once the season is under way, it will be about enjoying the races.
During this winter I’ve really focused on the happiness and energy I get from my job, instead of feeling stressed and pressured. I feel like I’ve managed to find a good balance between wanting to perform and push myself and having fun and enjoying myself along the way.
What’s your goal with the 2019 season?
At the World Cups and Championships I will try to have some of my best races to date, but also enjoy everything that mountain bike racing gives me.
Which World Cup do you look forward to the most?
Nové Město in Czech Republic is one of my favourite tracks and I also have a lot of good memories from that venue, like winning the Junior World Championships back in 2016. On top of that, the spectators there always make for an amazing atmosphere, which makes it even more fun to race. I also really like Val di Sole and Lenzerheide… it’s not an easy choice.
What is your favourite moment from the 2018 World Cup season?
It was during the last World Cup in La Bresse in France, because I felt a new kind of calm compared to previous races. I crashed early on in the race, but got up and started chasing the pack. I remember how easy it felt and how strong my body was. It wasn’t my best result but the feeling I had whilst racing was by far the best one of the season.
Do you have other events or trips planned that you look forward to this year?
To be honest, I am mostly looking forward to getting back into racing, and especially the World Cups. Otherwise I try to make the most out of each day as there is normally always something fun going on!
Best of luck with the season Ida!
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