1 - Greetings Will, Does your excellent performance at the Canadian Nationals help your chances to be selected to the US team for the World Championships? How many American men do you expect to race on the road course and how will they be selected? Can we expect Lance Armstrong and Tyler Hamilton to be racing in Hamilton?) ? (Reggie Dunbar, Calgary, AB)

WF - Reggie, I'm lucky to still be an under 23 rider and have already been selected to the US team. As for the selection of the elite riders much will depend upon which big riders decide to compete. If Lance were to choose to compete much of the team would be picked around him. For now it sounds like Tyler is very focused for the TT, and George for the road race. After that it will be interesting to see who comes. For me the opportunity to ride the Canadian Nationals was a great opportunity to see the course first hand and share that experience with teammates and coaches. Hopefully it will help come October!


2 - What is your fastest time for a 10 km time trial (10 000 meters)? On a flat course whith little wind? My best is 14,35... (Alex Nordell, Halmstad, Sweden)

WF - Alex, To tell the truth I've never done a 10k flat TT. Most of the TTs we do are either shorter 2-5k prologues or longer 20-40k TTs. I would guess for a 10k race most top riders would average over 50kph, making for a time of 12 minutes or under. Pretty smokin...


3 - Hey Will....Congrats on a solid season to date...do you think you have an advantage over your competitors seeing as you have already raced the World's course in June? (Peter, Washington)

WF - Peter, Though most will depend upon good legs and some good luck on race day I hope that having raced on the course I'll know what I need to do in order to prepare a bit better than some of my competitors. It is always a bit of an advantage knowing what to expect before coming to an event, and I was very excited to get the opportunity to come up in June.


4 - Have you any desire to compete in the Tour de France? (Eric van der Holt, Courtenay, BC)

WF - Eric, You bet. That is without a doubt one of my, and many younger riders, long term goals. The first step is to find a home on a major european team and prove myself in the smaller races, taking my time to grow as a rider and not pushing too much too soon.


5 - Hi Will. I'm an athlete myself, but I have never competed at the professional level before. What do you think it is that separates athletes from progressing to the level you are at and those who compete at a collegiate, club, or amateur level? (Mandy Goodman, Hamilton,ON)

WF - Mandy, I think that especially in cycling there are a few determining factors. The first is very simple. Genetics. What you were given to start with. Unfortunately, If you don't have what it takes physically it doesn't matter how hard you are willing to work, or how much dedication you have.

After talent, dedication and willingness to make sacrifices are the two most important factors. Being willing to go out and ride in the cold and rain when you are already tired and just don't feel like it... Not going out with your friends as often, or at all when it's crunch time... Not being able to do so many other activities you might enjoy because you need to rest and recover... Being constantly hungry when it's time to get lean... Not being at home! This is a big one. We spend a LOT of time on the road and it is difficult being away from family and friends so much.

After these few things it is all about desire. How bad do you want it? It is a question that a person must ask themselves, and then decide whether or not all the work and sacrifice is worth it. I will say however that most of the time it is a pretty great lifestyle, even after everything you give up for it.


6 - What does it mean to you to be competing at the World Cycling Championships in North America, when the event so rarely leaves the European continent? (Greg, Ottawa, ON)

WF - Greg, This is a huge opportunity for those of us from this side of the pond. Less travel just before the race as well as more friends and family at the event make a big difference.


7 - Will, I have heard that the course in Hamilton is one of the most difficult in the event's history. When you arrive in Hamilton, what is your plan to familiarize yourself with the course prior to your races. (Julia Lindsey, Hamilton,ON)

WF - Julia, I was fortunate enough to race on the course at the Canadian National Championships this June, and as you said it is without a doubt one of the hardest courses in years. Other than a few laps as a refresher, I won't have to spend too much time on the course before the event. Most riders will get out for the closed road training sessions and put in at least 10-15 laps over the few days before the event with a couple of laps at a near race pace, especially on the climbs.


8 - Will-::::::How do you ensure that your :::nutritional needs are met on the :::road? Is your diet specific and :::planned or do you just feel it is an :::issue of "quantity over quality"?::::::Good luck at worlds! (Dee Tee, Tucson)

WF - Dee Tee, Diet is a very important part of athletics, and though we all love to indulge in a treat from time to time, at and around races it is important to be a bit more careful. For an event like the worlds road race it is important to have enough intake to keep the glycogen stores topped off before the race, and then consume mainly carbohydrates with a bit of protein during the event. The day before the event for me might look something like this:

For dinner the night before I would look for a big mixed green and veggie salad with a balsamic vinegar dressing, a pasta dish with olive oil and parmesan and either a small steak, or piece of fish or chicken on the side. A couple scoops of ice cream afterwards wouldn't hurt either:-) For breakfast I would have a bowl of cereal with chopped fruit and yogurt, an omlette and a slice or two of toast, finishing up about three hours before the event. About an hour and a half before I would have a piece of fruit or two, but not much else until racing starts.

During the event I would eat a couple of genisoy crunch bars, 5-6 GUs, and some real food as well. One of my favorite race foods is small squares of either a filled pastry or slices of bread with nutella and banana. Something "real" always tastes good. I drink about half water and half mix, and then in the last few laps would try to grab a bottle or two of Coke as well.

After the worlds (the last race of the year for me), then it's time to chow down!


9 - Will,::::::Its always good to see your results and :::remember back to watching you race :::cyclocross here in VA.::::::With the limited amount of quality racing here :::in the USA in late Summer, what's your racing :::program leading up the worlds? (Gary Morgan, Richmond, VA)

WF - Gary, Good question. For a rider based in the US the end of the season is slim. As well as racing here in the states with the Saturn Cycling Team I'm fortunate to be able to spend a few months each year in Europe with our National U23 Program. This fall I'll be racing in Europe from August 15th until September 20th, then home in Colorado with my coach Chris Carmichael for some specific prep work. Motorpacing and lots of Climbing Repeats should build a base with a few max efforts to stay sharp just before the event.


10 - Hey Will, I was just wondering how you came about joining the Saturn team and what you did prior to?....Thanks!! (Geoff Hancemin, North Carolina)

WF - Geoff, I'm now in my second year with the Saturn program, and have a great home there. The group of guys on the team, as well as all of our hard working staff make life easy. Before Saturn I'd been with the Mercury Cycling Team (Mercury-Viatel breifly...) for two years, and the Mercury Junior Team for a year before that. I also spent some time as a junior with our National Team, living and training from the US Olympic Training center in Colorado Springs, before moving to Boulder for better riding and to be close to a number of my Mercury teammates.