Chloe Dygert needed greater than the bronze medal within the time trial on the Road World Championships in Zurich. After preventing extra setbacks in 2024, her greatest hope and need is to remain wholesome and construct a stable basis so she will be able to carry out at her perfect in 2025.
The 27-year-old American suffered a extreme leg damage on the 2020 Imola World Championships that required months of restoration and surgical procedures. She has additionally recovered from Epstein-Barr virus, and coronary heart surgical procedure for a tachycardia situation.
The final 12 months have additionally been a battle in opposition to sickness, COVID-19 and different setbacks. She crashed at pace within the time trial on the Paris Olympics however nonetheless gained a bronze medal. She gained gold within the girls’s group pursuit on the observe however it was little reward for her struggling.
Dygert was not pleased with one other podium in Zurich however she nonetheless has hope and resilience as an inside energy.
“I’m dissatisfied to not get on the highest step of the rostrum. I did every part I may right this moment however it wasn’t sufficient, the expertise of the opposite riders is so excessive. There are higher riders on the market,” she stated.
“It’s by no means simple to not stand on that high set, that is what all of us prepare for. So, I’m undoubtedly upset, it is laborious. But on the finish of the day, I’m nonetheless on the rostrum with two of the perfect women on the earth. I’m very blessed to be right here.
“I’m very honoured to have a medal. It simply, you understand, retains me actually motivated to proceed on and to maintain pushing subsequent yr.”
Dygert has signed a brand new contract with Canyon-Sram till 2026 and hopes to search out the well being and consistency wanted to construct the foundations for a profitable 2025.
“Hopefully I can construct from right here. I really feel that each time I get injured, I’ve to begin once more from floor zero. These women have years and years of a base. With everybody getting so good, it actually makes a distinction,” Dygert defined.
“I might be the strongest individual on the earth with my thoughts, however with how the peloton is right this moment, with how the women are right this moment, if anyone has a setback constantly annually you are ranging from floor zero. I’m nonetheless simply ready, and I’m hoping to have only a yr or two, simply consistency and well being, simply to really feel sturdy and really feel like my very own self once more.”
“Since my accident, I do not suppose I’ve gone greater than possibly six or seven months with out one thing occurring. This yr, it is most likely been the toughest yr since my accident.
“After successful the time trial world title final yr, I had COVID-19 and it took me most likely greater than sufficient to have the ability to be okay once more. Then I had an damage in December, and I simply could not heal from it. I took about 4 weeks off the bike and so solely about 10 or 12 weeks to coach for the Olympics. It’s been robust.”
Dygert has suffered however she nonetheless has some inside metal that has not damaged. Now she hopes to finish that with a wholesome physique.
“I’ve a robust thoughts to have the ability to stick with it I assume however with the health and what it takes to be the perfect on the earth, you want greater than only a sturdy life. Everything has to piece collectively,” she stated with hope.
“I simply must work on this side of it. I’m simply hoping that this subsequent yr is the yr that I can have my well being and proceed on after which simply have a great season subsequent yr.”
