Local cyclist Thomas Hums is on a mission to eventually become one of the best racers in the world. At just 17, Hums is fast becoming one of the top riders in the provincial scene. In 2005, Hums dominated the Ontario Under-17 loop, earning the overall Ontario Cup Circuit title.
This past season in 2006, Hums made the big leap from
U-17 to the junior stage. Hums had his work cut out for him,
but that's the way he likes it. The challenge of facing
older, wiser foes compelled Hums to bring out his best again.
He didn't disappoint. Driven and determined to make noise,
Hums burst onto the provincial junior level with much
enthusiasm and desire. Hums finished the season with several
Top 5 results in racing events, as well as a second place
finish at the provincial championships.
He also helped teammates along the way, helping them
reach their goals. Hums travelled across the country racing
and even competed in events in the United States. Now Hums is
preparing for a long winter and dreams of bigger things to
come in 2007. Hums trains with the Sudbury Cycling Club under
the guidance of Battista Muredda.
Recently, Northern Life sports reporter Scott Haddow sat
down with the passionate youngster and got his thoughts on
the past season, his future goals and what makes him
tick.
SH: Making Team Ontario for 2007, what does it mean to
you and what are your thoughts on the past season?
TH: It means a lot to me now. It's added motivation for me
train hard for this upcoming season. I had lots of Top 5
results as well as second place at provincials. I also placed
well in a criterium race during a stage race in Vermont even
though I was working for a teammate. Overall, 2006 was a bit
disappointing. I expected a bit better. Some tactical errors
cost me results. I narrowly missed out on winning provincials.
I had some bad luck at nationals (crashed with one lap to go),
and would have been sprinting for third in the Road Racing).
What stood out was my ability to race criteriums. Every
criterium I rode in, I performed well, in partially due to my
sprinting ability as well as good bike handling. Every
criterium I rode was in the rain and not once did I crash.
SH: How did being at a higher level of racing affect
you overall?
TH: The racing in 2006 was longer and faster. It definitely
made me stronger. The races at nationals and in the states were
extremely fast and sometimes demoralizing but it has made me
even more focused for 2007. My mind has to be 100 percent into
my training but racing as well. I can't go into races with any
doubt in my mind. I have to have confidence in myself. I know I
can do well. My training tells me this.
SH: Knowing you're on the team for 2007, what do you
have to do now?
TH: Being on the team for 2007 means that I can't slough off
(not that I would) and that I must maintain good results. I'm
going to have to train extra hard so that I can be a leading
position in big races instead of being a workhorse. All the
hard work has definitely been worth it. Had I not worked hard I
wouldn't even be able to compete at the level I was competing
at. It's all a progression. I need to move from one level to
the next. You can't skip steps. The staircase to the top is
long and steep. But every step is worth it once you get to the
top.
SH: Without getting ahead of yourself, what kind of
goals are you looking at for 2007?
TH: My goal for 2007 is to win the national criterium
championship (40-kilometre race, high speed, technical
cornering and fast accelerations) and place Top 5 in the road
race (120-km race). I need to prove I can be one of the best. I
need to prove I'm a valuable asset to a team so in the future a
semi-pro or pro team may want to pick me up.(Turning pro) is my
long-term goal.
SH: What has cycling done for you in life?
TH: Cycling and racing has made me focused. It has allowed me
to pursue my goals with determination.
SH: Where do you see yourself in five to 10
years?
TH: In five years I see myself still training hard and racing
at the senior level (elite men) and hopefully on a semi-pro
team. In 10 years or between five to 10 years, I aspire to be
on some sort of professional team. There are no guarantees but
I'm working hard and plan to continue on that road. I'm working
towards that goal.
SH: What has been your biggest challenge as you reach
for your dreams?
TH: The biggest challenge to date I've had to overcome is the
sacrifice of what other teenagers would see as normal day to
day stuff. I've eliminated processed sugars from my diet along
with other forms of junk food. (No cake, cookies, chips, pop,
or other garbage, I didn't even eat cake at my birthday.) I
also don't go to parties or hang out. No drinking either
(alcohol, but that wasn't really much of a challenge, because I
never started anyway).
SH: What can you say about the Sudbury Cycling Club and
how it has impacted your life?
TH: I owe what I have to the Sudbury Cycling Club. My teammates
are supportive. We help each other out a lot. We push each
other and it's always competitive. Our coach, Battista, is
arguably one of the best coaches in the country and I would not
be in the position I am now without him. His dedication and
commitments have been an inspiration for me and I always strive
to meet and exceed his requests in anyway possible. The program
he has developed is great. It's extremely tough. It takes 100
percent commitment but it will all be worth it once I get the
results I want.
SH: What's driving you right now?
TH: What really drives me right now is that I know if I train
hard this season and the seasons to come, I can win or place in
some big events and make impressions on important people. This
will set the stage for my future in cycling.
SH: Over the winter months, what will you be doing to
stay sharp and how difficult is it staying at the top of your
game living in Northern Ontario?
TH: To stay razor sharp this winter we'll be combining weight
training with an already rigorous cycling regimen. I'm
currently riding 12 hours a week (which isn't that much) and
weight training four out of the seven days. This means that
four days I'm putting in double-day workouts which increases
the intensity drastically. I must be careful, as it is easy for
me to injure myself when I'm fatigued. Riding here up north has
its ups and downs. Its hard to get motivated to ride inside all
winter on our stationary set-up but being able to focus here
will allow me to ride strong come spring and put in good
training outside to prepare for early season races. When the
snow starts to melt it's like a beast awakens and that's when
everything starts to come together. You don't get that when
you're riding in nice conditions all year round.
SH: Aside from cycling, what else are you doing to keep
busy?
TH: The only thing I could be found doing other than cycling
right now is finishing my final year at high school at Lockerby
Composite. Cycling occupies all of my time otherwise.
