– It was an easy one. I’ve been excited about what my weekday would look like. Getting it in the box and being done with it takes a lot of weight off my shoulders, says Blikra to news. It was a couple of weeks ago that the Norwegian professional cyclist was told by Uno-X that he was not part of their future plans, and that he had to look for a new cycling team. It happened after three years with the Norwegian cycling team, without a win at professional level. – It was, of course, a very difficult message to receive. But I quickly decided that I would make the best of a difficult situation. I just had to try to do the best I could and do the right things in training, says the 25-year-old. PRO CYCLIST: Erlend Blikra. Photo: Geir Olsen / NTB As the future looked bleak, he had to take action. He sent e-mails to a number of teams to ask if they had room for him on the team. – At the start I looked at it with a little excitement, because there are many exciting teams out there. I always live in the hope that it will be successful, but then I got quite a few replies that most of the teams were full and that I made contact too late. Then I looked at it a little darkly, says Blikra. – Was the message from Uno-X a bit late? – You can say that, but at the same time I knew for a while that the future was uncertain. Teams fill up, so that made things a bit more difficult. The team made a complete turnaround But in Malaysia, the complete turnaround came for Blikra. He performed very strongly in the Tour of Langkawi, culminating in a stage win in the pouring rain on the sixth stage of the tour. In the end, he also won the points jersey overall, after a fourth place on the last stage. Then Uno-X boss Jens Haugland had to make a phone call to his rider. – It didn’t take that many hours after the victory before he called and said he would like to offer a contract anyway, he says. In other words, the victory tasted very good for Blikra. – It was wonderful. I hoped we would get a win with a good start, and we saw it was possible. It was my first win at professional level, so it was really great, smiles the native of Rogaland. He said that there were some bright spots during the period of uncertainty about the future. – What was so nice was that I got so much support from people who want me to get it done in terms of racing and contracts. When you get the message, a lot of pressure is lifted off your shoulders, says the cyclist. Getting pink from the boss Uno-X boss Haugland says that it was a very pleasant message to give to his rider. – The reason is quite simple. We gave notice that he had to contribute in the autumn if he was to get a new contract, and I don’t think he disagreed with that, because he was very much on the verge. At the same time, we were clear that he would finish the season with us and have the team at his back, says Haugland to news. HAPPY: Jens Haugland was able to give Erlend Blikra a nice message after his stage victory in the Tour of Langkawi. Photo: Berit Roald / NTB He continues: – Then he travels to Malaysia, and handles it extremely professionally to everyone. Then we shouldn’t sit on our high horse and say that we can’t change our minds. We did that earlier this week, so then I made a phone call to him in Malaysia. He was also quickly out on social media, where he admitted that the team had made a misjudgment. – Those who know me know that I don’t turn around very often. But it is a useful experience for me. We had thought the idea, and when he won the opportunity presented itself very well. So I haven’t done this many times, no. But it is a much bigger mistake not to admit him, he says.
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