Making ‘Mrs Consistent’

“I was called Mrs Consistent in the peloton,” remembers Johansson, of a deserving moniker that was the product of a lifestyle dedicated to cycle racing. “I was always a hard worker, I never skipped training, and I was one of those riders who was trying the most.

“I didn’t accept anything else from myself and I was hard on myself. I loved racing hard, being in the mix, being good, it was all worth it. Probably my secret weapon was that I never let loose. Maybe it looked like I didn’t relax, eat waffles or drink wine. I was always strict in training throughout my career. I would give myself treats and say, ‘After this period I will go to a spa or for dinner.’ If I won the double at the Swedish Championships, I would allow myself to buy a massive pick ‘n’ mix. It was those things that helped me work hard.”

Mcpartland was blown away. “Emma was an absolute pleasure to work with because she was so professional. She was the school teacher’s pet, doing everything right with her homework.

“We used her as an example to the other girls because we wanted that leadership to show how it was done to the Aussie girls. When there was a split in the race, she showed where you had to be in the bunch.

“She would take a big interest in all of her equipment and the majority of the girls wouldn’t really care what they were riding. But she knew every detail, the exact tyre pressure, handlebar tape, wheels, helmets. She would know and make an effort with the mechanics and soigneurs to go out of her way and learn as much as she could. She would rock up with her bike perfect and immaculate.

“A lot of the time she led the way without realising she was doing so.”