Missing Saddle catches up with Justin Williams.
MS: You turned a lot of heads last year when you turned pro with Rock Racing and subsequently went out and tore it up. Did you meet your expectations last year or was there more you wanted too accomplish?
JW: Last year the win at Nationals completed my season. It was just what I needed going into this year with the crit behind me and a bigger focus on the road. I could never get over being one of the fastest guys out there and never winning the crit so just glad to get that out the way.
MS: Winning the Under-23 National Criterium Championships over Jake Keough (Kelly Benefits Strategies and Dan Holloway (Garmin-Slipstream) must have been a great feeling. Where you peaking at the right time or where you on a roll all season?
JW: My timing could have been a little better. I had my ups and down all season but I was a bit tired coming off of Super Week and Presbyterian Hospital. Working for Sterling and Baha all Super Week and just trying to get through Presbyterian so getting to nationals with winning legs was great.
MS: You have won on the road and on the track. Will you continue to race both disciplines or focus on advancing as a road-racing sprinter?
JW: Im a road sprinter at heart so I’m sure I lean a bit more to that side of things but I enjoy track and I can spend a few days on the track and be ready for a madison so it works out for both disciplines.
MS: You have ridden with and against a talented group of young American cyclists. Who is your biggest rival?
JW: In U23 problably Jake and Dan but I have my eye on a few of the favorites I like being pushed it make me want to train harder, do everything right.
MS: You have given credit to your teammate Rahsaan Bahati for helping you progress. What is that relationship like?
JW: He’s my older brother, he put himself on the line for me a lot and when I win he’s the happiest guy there and when I lose he’s one of the most disappionted. Between him and my dad I get a mouth full on bad days haha.
MS: Do you have any other mentors or role models?
JW: Role models? Umm… Tejay Van Garderan he’s a year older then but he’s done things in a different way and I have so much respect for him as a racer and Jera Wiscovitch, great guy, super talented and always has sound advise for me. Other than that I’m pretty confident with in myself and the things and people I know.
MS: As a sprinter who of the greats do you fashion yourself after, Cipollini, McEwen or another?
JW: I would have to say I’m more of a McEwen at this point I have a killer jump and I’m super aggressive. I’ll find holes that aren’t there but I’m still working on that top end. I’m working toward getting my name on that list. I’m gonna need a few years though haha.
MS: What have you been up to this season? Have you been in Europe?
JW: This season, more then any has been full of ups and downs. I won my first three races in a row then couldn’t get out of bed at team camp. Recovered from that and went to Europe for two mouths with the national team. I rode great and even got a shot at Roubaix, But no luck. We lost five guys in one section haha… Iggy S. Austin C. and I all crashed and Chris M. and Cole H. flatted. Got home, rested up had amazing shape for racing and got to use it all doing SoCal crits. So I took a break and have been getting read for road nationals.
MS: How has it been to race in the National Championship jersey?
JW: I’ve been dreaming about racing in stars and bars since I started. Finally being in the jersey was a confidence boost and it came with a lot of respect in the field. I wasn’t just some kid running around with his head cut off. Of course with Raha winning I got to enjoy being bad ass for a few weeks then it was back to being little bro haha.
MS: What is the rest of the season looking like for you?
JW: You can problably tell me better then I know of whats to come in 2009 all I know is road nationals then track Nat’s at the end of the season sad but true. I wish I had some bigger races to go to thats how I progress the harder the better.
MS: You live in LA, your hometown. What’s it like being 20 years old, living in the city of angels and being a pro cyclist?
JW: Living in Cali at times can be challenging between traffic and stop lights it sucks but with all the different riding there is with mountains and group rides it works out. But I always have a story to tell everyone is always flagging me down and they wanna know were I’m going or coming from it pretty cool.
MS: How do you spend you down time?
JW: When I’m not riding I’m out with friends preferably girls or drawing. I love art. I’ve drawn since I can remember. I try to stay away from things that can hurt me but I skate, I snowboard a lot less now but I’m pretty much a big kid. I’ll entertain myself by singing or dancing off beat in front of the family funnies pretty much me. Haha.
MS: So you are into art? Art can be a lot of things. What is it to you?
JW: I can do almost anything pretty well I love design I’ve put together a Major Motion kit for this year and last I also draw on vans with Sharpie markers thats pretty fun but I think making things look sick is what art is to me.
MS: At your age you have done and seen a lot of things. What does the next couple years have in store for Justin Williams?
JW: I really have my eye on a rainbow. Aussieland here I come. You can expect a more focused well rounded Justin Williams.
MS: When will we see you win your first stage in the Tour de France?
JW: 2012 is the set goal I want to really be ready green jersey ready not just stage wins.
By Andrew Hershberger
