January 31/08 1:47 am - Federau Chases Olympic Spot

Posted by Editor on 01/31/08
 

Federau Chases Olympic Spot

Ricky Federau, a 27 year- old mountain bike racer is chasing a lot of things these days. Here you can see him motor pace training behind a scooter, piloted by one of a team of friends and family members. Motor pacing better simulates race pace and helps prepare the past National Champion for his biggest season ever.

Federau is chasing a spot on the Canadian team for the Olympics in Beijing. In order to qualify for selection, Ricky needs a top 16 placing in World Cup competition in one of the first 5 World Cup events prior the end of May 2008. If he is able to secure a spot in the pool, he then needs to show the selectors that he is one of the 2 fastest Canadians in order to attend the Olympics. Already qualified are Geoff Kabush of Comox and Seamus Mc Grath of Victoria. "When I compare my results to the other guys, I know that I am as fast or faster then any of them on any given day. Seamus had that awesome result (16th) at Mount St. Anne last summer and Geoff is one of the best in North America. When I look at lap times from St Felicien where I was 21st and less then 2 minutes out of the top 16, I know that I am capable of a good result."

Last year was a season of polar opposites with strong results in early competition in preparation events at home and in Poland, including a win at Szczawno Zdroj against a strong Professional field. "After Poland I returned home for the two Canadian World Cup events. I performed well enough (26th and 21st) there that I was asked to represent Canada at the Pan Am Games in Brazil. My year went way down hill after that! I double flatted in Brazil and picked up a bug that kept me out of the Canadian Nationals. The form never returned for the remaining World Cups and World Championships.

As with most athletes, Ricky is also chasing sponsorships to carry him through the season. "In past years I had a good team deal as well as Sport Canada funding," commented Federau. "In 2007 we put together a network of sponsors to provider the equipment I needed to succeed while I used my Sport Canada dollars to pay for travel and entries. Because of the poor results at the end of last season, I lost my Sport Canada funding, so I'll have to raise the money for travel myself."

Federau will start his season racing on the road in early season events in and around the Fraser Valley before staring his Mountain Bike season in Fontana California. April will see him lining up against the best in the World in Belgium, Germany and Spain. "I really can't say what I'll be doing after the World Cups," explained Federau "I'll either be in the pool for selection to Beijing or looking for motivation to finishing up the season domestically. There are a couple of big multi day events I would like to do in BC and Alberta, but I don't know if the spark will be there."

Wentings' Cycle in Mission, ATAC Custom Sportswear in Langley, Pink Bike online and the Ben Hardy Real Estate team currently support Ricky. "I hope I can convince my current supporters to help me out another year as well as recruit a few more to cover the costs of getting to the races." "Ricky has been a true ambassador for cycling and has always presented himself in a very professional manner" stated Bruce Wenting "We welcome the opportunity to support his ambitions."

You can follow Ricky's exploits on his blog at www.rickyfederau.blogspot.com