Liquigas professional Magnus Backstedt had a positive start to his comeback from injury when he took on a quality elite field in a local race
in the United Kingdom on Sunday.
Backstedt crashed on the opening day of his 2006 campaign and the injury sustained saw him sitting out his beloved classics. Well ahead of
schedule Backstedt returns to European racing this week at the Tour of Luxembourg.
“I enjoyed the race at Castle Coombe on Sunday and coming in alone for the win was good for me mentally. The power figures I was putting out were
extremely encouraging as well”
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Power measurement has been crucial to Backstedts rehabilitation:
“I have to thank my personal performance coach Steve Benton for bringing me back
to fitness so well. I started doing 10 minutes a day at 100 watts which when you consider I put out about 500 watts plus in a time trial, that was mind blowing for me! But, it has worked and I’m really looking forward and maybe just a little nervous to be heading back into peloton this week”
The Liquigas team have recognised the big Swedes need to ease back into racing and changed his programme from the Dauphine Libere to the
Luxembourg Tour and then the Tour of Slovenia. If all goes to plan Backstedt hopes to make the team for the Tour de France.
“I’m aiming to get enough form for the Tour, I would like a chance to have a go at the sprints this year and see if I can go one better than
second to McEwen into Karlsruhe last year” He concluded.
