Only 20 years old Anniina Ahtosalo has risen rapidly towards the top of the cycling world. He is currently ranked 34th in the world and number one in his age group, and he will also represent Finland at the Paris Olympics in both time trial and road race.
Despite his young age, he has already driven professionally for two years in the Uno-X-mobility team, and the manager of the Norwegian team Lars Bak has hailed Ahtosalo as one of the greatest talents in women’s cycling.
That’s why the team wanted to hold on to their uncut diamond, and this year offered the Finn a four-year contract. In women’s cycling, professional teams rarely offer contracts longer than a year, so the team has strong faith in the young cyclist’s potential.
Ahtosalo himself is also satisfied with his season and leveling up.
– I have managed to raise the level and performance. I can withstand hard races better and I can also participate in the finals. I am a relatively fast driver, Ahtosalo estimates.
With the power of rice
Last year, Ahtosalo won bronze in the under-23 European Championship road time trial, and this season he took the first UCI race victory of his career. At the weekend, Ahtosalo won the time trial on Friday and the Finnish championships in the 103.8 km road race on Saturday.
Ahtosalo used a proven, simple recipe for recovery and refueling between these two tough races.
– I have eaten rice, he laughed.
– Road cyclists eat incredible amounts of rice or pasta on race days and the days before them.
Ahtosalo calculates that he eats about 250 grams of cooked rice in one meal. When there are three to four meals a day and seven days a week, according to him, rice is consumed “somewhat”.
Culture shock at home
Competing for Ahtosalo, which represents Korson Kaiku in Finland, often causes a culture shock. In international competitions, there are often five to six times as many competitors who have qualified for the competition. At that time, the competition is always at a high level.
– Our fear here in Finland is so small. When a group of 30 drivers goes to the race, it is actually the largest group in the world. The driving style is very different. The pace is lower, and there aren’t really any teams in Finland, so the style difference in how the race is run is quite big, Ahtosalo compared.
Ahtosalo has enjoyed riding a bike since he was a child, and he rode his first race when he was around 10 years old. He got a versatile foundation for sports by doing figure skating, athletics and skiing when he was younger. But cycling took its toll.
Ahtosalo is very analytical and unyielding in the things he wants to do. He is also meticulous about details, unyielding and persistent, which helps in an endurance sport like cycling.
Living in the moment
A year ago, Anniina Ahtosalo couldn’t even dream of the Paris Olympics, but the situation changed quickly. Ahtosalo was named to the team, and experienced Lotta Henttala was elected deputy representative. After the selection, Ahtosalo was excited.
– I was the first to say yes! Now one goal has been achieved. Then I started to focus on the best way to prepare for the Olympics, he said and explained what the preparation involves.
– Time trial training, because it should suit me quite well. Then it’s a pretty tough road race. For that, I should get myself in good climbing shape, but for that, I’ll actually have the whole next month to train.
Professional cycling is a team sport with a strong role, where the team is stronger than the individual, but the atmosphere at the Olympics is completely different.
Normally, Ahtosalo would cooperate with six or seven riders and share all the work. Or if the race was run in Ahtosalo, he could, according to his own words, relax for the first 100 kilometers, and then start the race.
– When I’m alone, I actually have to do everything myself. It makes driving a bit more difficult and makes it tougher.
For the 20-year-old Olympic debutant, the Paris Games are above all a trip to gain experience, and Ahtosalo has not set himself any performance goals – yet.
– I live in the moment so much that I don’t really set performance goals until right before the Games, because I can’t tell where my level will be during the season, Ahtosalo said.
– I don’t think I’ll get any top positions there, but I’m trying to maximize my own performance.