World champ Carrara looks to Beijing

Dual track world champion Vera Carrara will be aiming for Olympic glory in 2008 after recently securing another world champion's jersey in the points race at Bordeaux. In the meantime, a ride with the Bianchi-Kookaï team in the women's Giro d'Italia and a crack at the world championships in Salzburg beckons for the talented rider from Bergamo.

Speaking to the press at the headquarters of sponsor Bianchi, Carrara said that the Athens Olympics taught her the valuable lessons needed to succeed in the last two world championships. "The Olympic Games in Athens was the impetus for the last two years of hard work. I realised I had to learn how to control myself and reach new goals; to compete courageously is a good thing, but always with control. These qualities helped me to win the races both in Los Angeles and in Bordeaux," she said.

She was quick to point out, however, that there are a few things to get done before Beijing calls, including some road racing, where she's a good chance of performing well in either of her big goals. "Before thinking to the Olympic Games, however, I'd like to test myself in road racing, at the Giro d'Italia and (why not?) the World Championships in Salzburg," she said.