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Danielson confirms for worlds

published 19 September 2009

Illness and injury will not prevent American from racing

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Tom Danielson (Garmin-Slipstream) after winning the TT in Burgos. (Image credit: Vuelta a Burgos)

Illness forced Tom Danielson to withdraw from the Vuelta a España on the Thursday’s stage to Avila, but the Garmin-Slipstream rider has said that he intends to travel to Mendrisio next week and take part in the World Championships.

Illness turns Danielson's Vuelta on its head

Danielson leads confirmed US Worlds squad

Danielson out of Vuelta

"Since I stopped racing my body has had a chance to focus on getting well," he told Cyclingnews on Saturday afternoon. "I am hoping that in a few more days I will be almost back to normal."

Danielson rode strongly in the Vuelta until getting sick with flu, and was named last week as leading the US campaign in the time trial and road race. He plans to do both, using the first as a gauge to see how well he has recovered.

"I will do the TT and see how I feel…it should help open me up and give me an idea where I am at. I didn’t have a choice about stopping the Vuelta – my lungs were so full of fluid I was drowning. By the top of the first climb I couldn't breathe at all."

Rather than being demoralised, he’s looked at the positive aspects of his Spanish campaign and remains focussed. "The motivation is high because I really want to continue to build on the level I had in the Vuelta," he said. "I think the difference between me now and before is that I am able to turn the page, turn my back on disappointment and move forward.

"I know now what I am capable of and its not worth an ounce of energy dwelling on anything negative. So, yes, I'll be at the worlds with a confident smile on my face."