Villumsen eyes gold with partner’s help
When it comes to sporting duos there are not many as motivated as cyclists Linda Villumsen and Emma Trott.
At 28, Olympic gold medallist Trott is now retired, but has a big input on her partner’s training ahead of the Commonwealth Games.
Villumsen is a real medal hope track record. In 2006 she was named cyclist of the year by Cycling World, she was placed fifth in the road race at the 2008 Olympics in Beijing, and 13th in the time trial. In London 2012 she came within a heartbreaking two seconds of a medal when fourth in the time trial.
At the 2014 Commonwealth Games she won silver in the road time trial and placed fifth in the road race. She is a highly motivated individual, but it doesn’t stop Trott, a former British national rider, from having input over the training plan for her partner of eight years.
‘‘Sometimes I ask her for advice, if I need any help on training or have any issues she is the one to go to,’’ Villumsen said.
‘‘I take her advice and then take 50 per cent of it off because she is treating me like I am unable to do anything.’’
Jokes aside, Villumsen’s coach is based in Italy, so having Trott in the same household in Canterbury is a gift.
‘‘It is good having a second opinion from someone who knows what they’re talking about.’’