Chloé Dygert thought-about pulling out of the UCI Highway World Championships elite ladies’s street race on Saturday, however with resolve and dedication, she overcame doubts about her kind and a stunning silver medal was a particular reward after a tricky season.
Dygert fought to get again to the entrance of the race a number of instances within the remaining two laps earlier than giving her all within the six-rider dash. She kicked to the left concurrently eventual winner Lotte Kopecky (Belgium) began her dash to the correct, however Dygert did not have sufficient energy to match the defending champion.
“Earlier than the race, I positively did not count on this, however now coming away with silver, I am a bit of mad that it wasn’t gold, however I am glad,” Dygert mentioned to Cyclingnews and different media post-race.
“I nearly did not actually even wish to begin immediately after how my yr has gone and the way this week went mentally for me. I really feel very blessed to have the assist that I’ve again dwelling and right here. With out them, I do not suppose I might have began.”
Dygert is thought for her successful mentality however admitted that one other robust season had damage her.
She sustained a extreme leg harm on the 2020 Imola World Championships that required months of restoration and follow-up surgical procedures. She has additionally been hit with Epstein Barr virus, and coronary heart surgical procedure to deal with a longstanding tachycardia difficulty.
Dygert crashed in the course of the Paris Olympics time trial however nonetheless managed to win a bronze medal, and crashed once more in the course of the ladies’s street race however went on to say the Olympic title within the ladies’s crew pursuit the following week. Every thing has taken its toll on the 27-year-old American.
“This isn’t an excuse however this entire yr, I do not actually know why, however simply the best way I usually can damage myself – with my energy and my coaching – I am simply off bodily,” Dygert admitted when requested by Cyclingnews.
“I am not placing out the facility that I do know I can and will in coaching. I am ending efforts and races and I am unable to trash myself, I am unable to flip myself inside out.
“I do not know if it is some type of psychological block after the previous 4 years. I’ve had all this day off because of harm, however I’ve by no means had day off as a result of once I take a break, it is all the time harm or illness-induced.
“Possibly it is form of catching up with me, and I must take a psychological break and reset, recharge and begin specializing in the season to return.”
Dygert can maybe go into the offseason realizing she gave her all in Zurich regardless of the horrible circumstances.
“Lotte Kopecky is without doubt one of the greatest sprinters, proper? She’s simply excellent at sprinting, and I am not a lot,” Dygert admitted.
“On the prime of the late climb I needed to gamble as a result of Elisa [Longo Borghini] went and I used to be behind Kopecky. I lulled behind her, simply anticipating her to go. I knew there was sufficient time we may do it.
“Then within the remaining, it was simply the descent for me. I went at my tempo and if I caught on, I caught on. I am actually grateful and grateful that I did.
“Now I’ve simply set to work on my descending. I’ve had quite a few crashes simply from sliding out and after my accident, there’s nonetheless worry there. I do not wish to admit it however there may be.
“It is simply one thing I’ve to beat. I am engaged on it, we have lastly dialled in my tyre stress and hopefully by subsequent yr I will nail it.”
