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Cervelo's Hayden Roulston says he still has a lot to learn

By Ryland James, AFP
Published: Jul. 4, 2009

Olympic silver medalist Hayden Roulston, who has battled back to fitness despite a heart defect, admitted Saturday he still has plenty to learn after confessing to an unsatisfactory Tour de France debut.

The 28-year-old, who won silver in the 4000-meter men's individual pursuit in
Beijing last August, finish in 111th place in Monaco - 1:57 behind yellow jersey winner Fabian Cancellara.

Roulston had to fight to make his Tour debut since he was diagnosed in 2006 with arrhythmogenic right ventricular dysplasia - a condition which left him short of breath and raised his heart rate to dangerous levels.

But with defending Tour de France champion Carlos Sastre leading his Cervelo TestTeam, a cured Roulston says he still has an important job to do at this year's race.

"It was very, very hard out there and I still have a lot to learn about time trialling on the road," said Roulston.

"The nature of the course was tough, I don't know if you can call that ride satisfactory."

A pro since 2003, he raced with Lance Armstrong's Discovery Channel team until he lost his contract after an incident in a nightclub in his native New Zealand.

Having won another professional contract, a routine health check with the U.S.-based HealthNet team revealed his heart problem in 2006.

The Kiwi was then introduced to Reiki, an alternative Japanese healing process, to help manage his condition and having won another chance to race with Cervelo, Roulston insists he wants no sympathy.

"I am not here just to make up the numbers," he insisted.

"I came here probably in the best shape ever, the best nmindset and I have
an important job to do in this team.

"It's an honor to have such a great leader as Carlos in the team and I will do everything I can to support him."

Teammate Brett Lancaster said Roulston's ability to hold high speeds for long periods could be Cervelo's secret weapon when he will be used to chase pponents down.

"The guy can go over 60kms per hour for a kilometee and a half, so he can catch people," said Lancaster.

Roulston will have plenty of opportunities to prove himself when the Tour heads over the Alpes-Maritimes in Sunday's second stage to Brignoles.