In a little bit, I’m going to tell you why I was so depressed that I didn’t touch my bike for two months. That experience has led to my outlook on life today. First, let me tell you quickly how I got into cycling.
I started riding at 13 years old when a friend at school introduced me to cycling. I made the switch from soccer but my parents were sceptical because at that age it’s very common for kids to change sport all the time.
My parents didn’t want to buy me a bike in case I changed, that would be expensive for them. So, I borrowed a bike from the local cycling club I joined. It was the heaviest steel bike ever but I was just so happy to have a race bike. It was super cool.
I started racing and I was last every time. But, I was loving every race day. At Christmas the next year, I got a Cervélo from my parents and I almost fainted. Going into the new season, I won the first race of the season. I went from finishing dead last to winning my first race. When I got the bike over Christmas I trained way more than I needed for my age. The bike motivated me so much.
Casper Pedersen turns professional this season. Photo: Karen M. Edwards
When I became junior I started doing a lot of track cycling. As a first-year junior, I went to the World Championships in Glasgow and out of the blue, I won a bronze medal in the Omnium. I wasn’t expecting it at all because I never did the Omnium before.
From there I was taken into the elite Olympic team. I was 18 years old and that’s where I learned what it takes to become a professional. I was on the team pursuit team and put all my energy into the Olympic games. When I was selected, I could not believe I was going to become an Olympian at such a young age.
We got to Rio as six guys and only five would go to the competition. I was in the Olympic village taking in the experience and loving every moment. I could not wait to be on the start line.
I was meant to be the fifth guy, the first substitute but then the night before the race, the coach told me he was going to swap me out and I would be the sixth guy. That meant I wasn’t going to be part of the competition.
“After that, I didn’t touch the bike for two months and thought of quitting cycling. I was very depressed. I had sacrificed an entire road season for the track and Rio”.
I had sacrificed an entire road season for the track and Rio. That was the greatest disappointment of my life. The team ended up winning a bronze medal. I was very happy for them as they were my best friends. But I was the only guy leaving Rio without a medal.
That smashed my motivation. The worst part was having to explain to so many people back home why I didn’t get a medal. The team is made up of four guys plus one substitute and I was number six. That was hard for me.
Photo: Karen M. Edwards
After that, I didn’t touch the bike for two months and thought of quitting cycling. I was very depressed.
For the following weeks, I thought a lot about what I had been through and remembered that I loved being in a team and travelling and competing so after some time I started riding my bike again. I enjoyed the feeling of just going out and riding and that hunger returned.
What I learned was I had to enjoy every moment of cycling. Not just the competitions and the medals but to enjoy every single training ride, remember to notice the joy of the everyday world, not only when it goes well.
I love winning races but that’s not the only reason I am racing. It taught me to be more relaxed and that I’m doing this because it’s fun. This is really what I want out of life.
The last few weeks I’ve moved to Girona to start a new chapter with Aqua Blue Sport. The roads here are amazing and I’ve been going training with professional riders I look up to.
I’ve really started feeling like a professional now and I’ve been enjoying spending time on my bike. I am so blessed that this is my job. Of course, my job is hard but the pain is a good pain. There are so many worse jobs out there.
