Young Rasmus Guldhammer quits cycling
Rasmus Guldhammer was only 20 years old when he was picked up by team HTC-Columbia last year for his outstanding climbing abilities. It was perhaps too soon for the promising rider to join the Pro peloton, as he is now on the verge on quitting the sport
and has left HTC-Columbia to return to Denmark.
"In May, I was already a little tired of riding a bike," said Guldhammer to
DR Sports. "I missed the comradeship – at the Danish team you are very social and you feel comfortable with each other. We did take a course at Columbia, but something was missing, I think."
The 2009 Danish national Under-23 road champion was overjoyed when he was offered the contract from HTC-Columbia, a dream come true for any young road cyclist. But he soon started to suffer from homesickness and lost his motivation for competition.
"I did not want to go out for races – I rather wanted be with my mates. And then I'd rather go to the Danish races, for it was there I had my friends."
Brian Holm, director of HTC-Columbia, managed to build-up the young rider to a best-young-rider victory at the Tour of Denmark, but Guldhammer was back to his dejected state soon after. Holm allowed him to cancel his contract with the team without penalty.
"I do not think he was ready for the professional life yet,” said Holm. “If he can ride at a slightly lower level next year, I am confident that he can return to professional cycling. There is no doubt that he has talent. Should Rasmus change his mind, there
will be a place on my team.”
Guldhammer will race in 2011 without pressure at the Danish continental team Concordia Insurance Himmerland. His brother Thomas and many friends and former teammates still compete with the team and the rider is optimistic that being in the more comfortable
environment could have him ready for the World U23 Championships next season.
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