Thor Hushovd has had an adventurous cycling career, taking, among other things, ten stage wins at the Tour de France and WC Gold in Australia in 2010.
But it could easily have stopped earlier in 1997.
– I was 19 at the time, and had been injured for several months, so I couldn’t ride a bike as much. During that period, I had already decided to quit, Hushovd reveals.
– Then I went on a lift ride to Gran Canaria with older brother Ronnie and a friend called Eric, he says in TV 2’s Tour de France studio.
CYCLING HERO: Thor Hushovd had an adventurous career, but one that could have ended quickly when he was just 19 years old. Photo: Daniel Sannum Lauten/TV 2
Then came the phone call that changed everything for Hushovd.
– I was standing at the airport, waiting for the suitcase. Then the cell phone rang. It didn’t happen much in 1997. Then I pulled the phone out of my pocket, says Hushovd.
He wanted to go straight home again
At the other end was Per Sverre Hushovd’s father, who told what happened on the Spanish mainland while the 19-year-old Hushovd was on his way to Gran Canaria on a boys’ trip.
Kurt Asle Arvesen has just become the U23 World Champion in San Sebastian.
– Then his bike with him in the national team once. Then I thought: “No, damn it, when he can become world champion, I can do it too,” Hushovd, TV2’s cycling expert, chuckles.
World Champion: Thor Hushovd wins WC gold in Australia in 2010. Photo: Heiko Junge/NTB
Hushovd immediately sensed he was in the wrong place.
– I was so excited. I really wanted to get back on the charter plane and go home to train. I didn’t touch the alcohol, says the Grimstad man.
– Thank you, Kurt
When Hushovd returned home to Norway, he took up training and signed for Ringerike Cycling Club.
– One year later, I became the U-23 world champion in rhythm, says Hushovd.
HERITAGE THANKS: Thor Hushovd (TV) was motivated by Kurt Assel Arvesen’s under-23 achievement in 1997. Here from the Tour de France in Marseille in 2009. Photo: Heiko Jung/NTB
The rest is history.
– So he (Arvesen) was important to me. Thanks, Kurt, Hushovd chuckles.
The WC gold in San Sebastian in 1997 was of course of great importance to Kurt Assel Arvesen.
– This was really the beginning of my career, says Arvesen to TV 2.
– There weren’t many Norwegian professionals at that time, so you had to win the U23 WC Cup to get noticed in 1997, says Arvesen.
– It was the starting point in Europe, adds the current sports director of Uno-X.
Hushovd decided to quit at the age of 19 — and then he received a shocking phone call
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