Soeder aims for 2009 world title

Christiane Soeder (Team Cervélo - Lifeforce) has decided to continue riding in 2009, with a definite goal in mind. "I want to become world champion in the coming year," she told LaOla1.at.

The 33-year-old Austrian had a number of wins in 2008, but finished second in the UCI World Championship time trial event in Varese, Italy, and fourth in the Olympic Games road race in Beijing, China. Her five wins included the Open de Suede Vargarda and the overall title in the Grande Boucle.

"I will definitely ride another year," she said. "I thought about it a long time, but I think another year will be a lot of fun."

Soeder added that she sees room for improvement, too. "A lot of things have occurred to me, how I could improve," she said.