To be the best in the world you've got to do the hard work - just ask Swedish dual World Champion, Susanne Ljungskog. She's hungry for another world title, and caught up with Cyclingnews' Gabriella Ekström to discuss world titles, safety and riding with the men.
Sunday's category 1.2 Scandinavian Open in Sweden saw Team Mälarenergi's Christofer Stevenson take home the victory, but the 194 kilometre event also offered the spectators as well as competitors a rare sight. Alongside the 130 elite riders, one female rider took to the start, and when the peloton came in for a massive final sprint, she was right up there battling it out for tenth. "I guess there were UCI points for the tenth spot," Susanne Ljungskog said after the race. "They sure wanted it bad. Ah, I wasn't last though!"
With the winner's average speed of 45.1 km/h, Susanne clocked 44.5km/h for the whole race, and finally ended up in a 33rd place, with one hundred of the male starters behind her.
Ljungskog rode the same race with the men last year as well, and finds it excellent preparation, but when asked if she'd recommend it to other women she says that it's up to each and every rider to decide. "This is something I have chosen myself. Other riders will have to see what suits them, but I race with the guys to improve my strength and stamina for the upcoming races I'm aiming at. I don't race with them in order to win, I don't stand a chance of doing that!"
