Preparations for this have been extra everything, says Söderqvist after the victory in the association's broadcast.
The World Championship gold is Söderqvist's first in his career. Last year, he took silver in the time trials in both the U23 World Championship and the U23 European Championship. He also participated in the Olympic Games in Paris.
In this year's edition, Söderqvist was superior. Already after just over ten kilometers, the Swede led with almost 24 seconds and then he continued to expand his lead. When all 31.2 kilometers were cycled, the distance was over a minute down to second-placed Nate Pringle, New Zealand.
It has been a challenge to be a favorite, but I like it. It's good for a career to be able to handle pressure, says Söderqvist and continues:
I want to win some of the biggest competitions and then you have to be among the best at handling pressure
Most recently, a Swedish male cyclist won a World Championship gold at the same level as Söderqvist was in 1948, when Harry Snell won the amateur class, which later became the U23 class.
Earlier this summer, Söderqvist was cleared for the American star team Lidl-Trek.
