October 28, 2008 (Langely, B.C.) – Canada’s Svein Tuft is a remarkable guy. That’s not news to those on this side of the pond who follow cycling. On the other side of the pond, however, he recently created one of the biggest news sensations in Italy when he won the silver medal in the ITT the 2008 Road World Championships. It seemed as if the journalists were incredulous that a virtual unknown would win a medal let alone be 43 seconds back after switching bikes in the last four kilometers of the 43.7km test.

“Yeah, in my mind I had a good laugh when the hard core Euro reporters asked me who I was,” said the understated Tuft. “I kind of understand where they’re coming from because it is an old boys club that follows racing and riders in Europe. They don’t pay much attention to North America and if they did they’d realize that quite a few Pro Tour teams have made the trip to race here. The level has definitely gone up in North America with stronger riders.”

Tuft added that he’s amazed that even with technology at their fingertips, the Euro press are still sluggish at investigating cycling beyond their borders. “I also wonder if they have an ulterior motive which perhaps demonstrates a great lack of respect [for North Americans].”

A quick perusal of any cycling website (and now most major newspaper chains), reveals that Tuft is far from an unknown and has had a stellar season from winning Pan Am gold on the track and in the time trial in May, to winning the overall at the Tour de Beauce, another National time trial title, and prepping for his Road World’s bid placed 7th at the 2008 Beijing Olympic time trial.

Tuft’s Road World’s silver medal is the first medal Canada has won in the senior male road ranks since Steve Bauer’s bronze in 1984. “Twenty-four years is a long time. That’s a lot of World Championships and every year a champion is crowned. The whole thing is a bit difficult for me to understand. It feels like I’ve been doing this for a long time. In my mind I’ve been pushing and pushing and it isn’t a huge surprise really but then when it happens and it becomes huge. It makes me very proud.”

Tuft is passionate about his former Team Symmetrics and everything the squad provided him. He insists that he wouldn’t be where he is now without the team. “We were an all-Canadian team with young riders. We had such a good thing going. The last thing on my mind was a World’s medal. I didn’t focus on the result – I was just happy to be bike racing. You know, I was so excited to be going on a trip for a couple of weeks with my buddies.”

While Tuft seems to be incredibly easy going, he admits that he has another side. “I have a crazy, obsessed side but it’s important to be balanced enough in life to switch it on and off. You have to plan for those special moments which don’t come along all the time. Doing a 40 plus km time trial, when I’m riding on the threshold and the only thing holding me back is my mind. I ask myself, “How much are you willing to give?”

In preparing for a time trial, Tuft says he doesn’t do anything ‘too crazy’ but it’s important that it’s specific to each rider. Nutrition is high on his list as the races are long. He starts three to four days out ensuring he consumes enough calories and retains water and sodium.

“I have a routine that I follow about two hours before the race. I believe that I have done everything up to this point. I realize that I have to open up the legs so I do a few shorter efforts in order to feel the proper sensations. Too many guys blow themselves out in the warm-up.”

At the Worlds he knew it was going to be a good day but what happens if that feeling isn’t there? “I don’t let it shatter me. I’ve raced enough to know that it doesn’t mean anything. I didn’t feel that good at Nationals but ended up with a great ride. I’ve been in road races and breaks where I’m hurting but the other guys are hurting more”.

Tuft provides these insights with his own ulterior motive – that of helping younger athletes in the sport. He has very succinct ideas about how to improve the sport of cycling in Canada. “The funding needs to be looked at. It can really open doors for the younger athletes but Sport Canada only provides the funding once you are at the top. The first time I got carded was when I signed a contract. I don’t need that money but if I don’t take it, it won’t go to a junior or espoir or proper programming. I’m not a fan of that. The funding needs to be more balanced to help the kids in the lean years. It’s hard to look at a 21-year-old to determine if they’re going to be a medal potential; it’s hard to quantify. I had years that were rubbish.

“I believe in our athletes like crazy. We have so much talent that’s so close but these guys have to get real jobs. It’s easy for a young guy to quit. Excelling in sport takes time and patience and we need to support that. If you had asked me a long time ago, I never thought that I would have raced at the Worlds or at the Olympics. We have four guys in the Pro Tour now and we really need teams like Symmetrics and Steve Bauer’s Team RACE Pro.”

Tuft’s new team for the upcoming season will be Garmin Chipolte-H30. He thrived with the camaraderie of his former Symmetrics teammates and realizes there will be a change. “I know quite a few of the guys on the team and have raced with some of them. Over the last few years, my old team has helped me to realize the potential of what I can do in sport. I will capitalize on the new team that I have. I look at it a bit different now but I’m still part of a team and while it’s not Symmetrics, there will be similar scenarios. I certainly know where I stand.”

When asked where that is, his matter of fact statement brims with confidence, “One of the better time trial riders in the world, a good teammate and stage racer.”

His Tour de Beauce win and third place overall at the Tour of Missouri this past season certainly confirm the latter. Missouri was significant as it was the final race prior to the Road World. So why didn’t Tuft ride the road race at the Worlds? “I wanted to but the CCA said I should just focus on the time trial – it kind of hurts. They don’t realize what I do to prepare. If they asked me, I’d send them the files. I need to open up the engine with six hour rides in the mountains. It saddens me that they don’t know what training I do to prepare for a time trial.”

Looking forward to the bright future ahead of him, Tuft is optimistic about his prospects. It’s an exciting new world with big Tours, another shot at the World’s TT podium and beyond that the next Olympics. “Zach (Bell) and I want to work towards the Madison in 2012. It’s doubtful that I’ll do much track this year but I’d love to do a 6-day and be fit for it. The Madison is like a video game on a bike. There’s so much stuff to pay attention to. I love the craziness.”

When congratulated once again on his phenomenal ride at the Worlds, Tuft is passionate with his final comments, “It’s pretty motivating. It’s very neat that people can comprehend the significance. I love seeing people psyched about cycling.”