GREAT BADDOW'S Alex Dowsett says he still has room to improve after finishing eighth at the World Road Cycling Championships on Wednesday.
The Team Sky rider, 23, was Great Britain's sole representative in the time trial event held in Valkenburg, the Netherlands.
He finished ahead of two-time Tour De France winner Alberto Contador. It's a positive end to a difficult season for the former Glendene Cycling Club member, Brentwood,that's been blighted by injury and a subsequent dip in form.
"I'm pretty surprised," said Dowsett following the 45.7km elite men's event.
"I said (I was aiming for) top ten yesterday and I was kind of thinking: 'that's ambitious'.
"But I just went out there and rode my own race. We had a plan and I stuck to it and I think I managed to pace the race really well.
"I was nowhere in the first couple of check points but managed to finish strongly and I think that's where the couple of climbs were. I felt as good at the end as I did at the start.
"I haven't had an ideal year this year and this is really encouraging.
"Whilst I'm pleased with this result there's definitely room for improvement. So, next year, if I'm selected I'll be coming here with aspirations of a podium."
The Team Sky rider, 23, was Great Britain's sole representative in the time trial event held in Valkenburg, the Netherlands.
He finished ahead of two-time Tour De France winner Alberto Contador. It's a positive end to a difficult season for the former Glendene Cycling Club member, Brentwood,that's been blighted by injury and a subsequent dip in form.
"I'm pretty surprised," said Dowsett following the 45.7km elite men's event.
"I said (I was aiming for) top ten yesterday and I was kind of thinking: 'that's ambitious'.
"But I just went out there and rode my own race. We had a plan and I stuck to it and I think I managed to pace the race really well.
"I was nowhere in the first couple of check points but managed to finish strongly and I think that's where the couple of climbs were. I felt as good at the end as I did at the start.
"I haven't had an ideal year this year and this is really encouraging.
"Whilst I'm pleased with this result there's definitely room for improvement. So, next year, if I'm selected I'll be coming here with aspirations of a podium."
