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| Allan Johansen at the Koppenberg. (© Heinz zwicky) |
During the winter it became clear that Johansen – like Lars Michaelsen in 2007 – would only stay on Team CSC
until the end of April, where André Steensen and Lasse Bøchman would be starting with Team CSC.
The comparison
to Lars Michaelsen can be made on several counts in that they are both experts in the Northern European spring races –
especially the cobble stoned and like Michaelsen, Johansen also finishes at the top of his career. This year he took a fifth
place in Dwars Door Vlaanderen, an eight place in Het Volk not to mention his 10th place in Ronde Van Vlaanderen and a great
performance in Paris-Roubaix, where the only thing preventing him from taking another top-10 spot was bad luck.
"There's
no doubt that when you realize it's your last chance ever you give it that tiny bit extra, but I also think that sometimes
things just come together perfectly like they did for me this year. I've always had this kind of "every second year syndrome,"
going on, where I make it free of accidents, injuries and do really well – so probably that's where the explanation
is really. Often it's the little things, which decide a race. It's not always a case of the strongest rider wins – some
times you need luck on your side as well," explains Allan Johansen about his brilliant spring.
That Allan Johansen
is leaving Team CSC is made easier by the fact that he wont be finishing his career just yet, but will be joining the Continental-team,
Team Designa Køkken.
"It's not like I'm sitting at home all depressed and stuff because I'm using my energy to focus
on my switch to Designa. But of course I'll miss it when the big races come along and I'm only able to watch, but I've still
got a few challenges left this season," says Johansen and continues:
"It'll be a huge change of course – just
the fact that I wont be climbing on board a big bus with a built-in shower, but will be sitting in a folding chair at the
side of the road waiting for a lift home. But also I'll be doing some different and smaller races from now on. I'm taking
on a bit of a leader's role on the team and I'm looking forward to that. Especially sharing all my experience with some of
the younger riders," says Johansen, who is expecting to achieve some good results in the foreign races for the remainder of
the season, while the Post Cup races are more difficult for him because of the line-up for those races.
Regarding 2009
his situation still remains open, but the indications so far are that he'll be finishing his career and leaving the cycling
sport for good.
"There's probably a 95 % chance of me stopping, but it all depends on how Team Designa Køkken evolves.
It's possible that I'll be able to continue as a sports director if the team improves. But my problem is that next season
I wont be able to travel as much anymore because we've just had our second child and my wife will be going back to work then,"
adds Johansen, who wont totally rule out continuing his career in 2009:
"But of course if the rest of this year turns
out absolutely brilliant I might just grab another season while I'm at it. Two months ago I almost swore that I wouldn't be
riding a bike after this season, but then when I got off my bike after Tour of Flanders I was ready for another 10 years,
so you never know really."
"I do know though that it takes more and more effort for me to stay on top of my game and
I'm the type of person who doesn't want to just participate for the fun of it. I'm well aware that there's loads of races
I can't win, but if I can't make a clear mark on any of them I'd rather be without," concludes Johansen.
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