Derek Timmermann

I was sitting in the sun room making some emails yesterday when I heard some exhausted panting approach from the distance. I looked outside and there was Derek. He was out of breath and could hardly speak, but later told me he had to run from a bus station 5km away from the Cycling Center. He just got back from his trip to Paris and Amsterdam and was on his way to Brussels where he finally heads back to his home in Michigan, USA.

I really liked Derek, because he was so similar to me. He weighed exactly the same as me, same height and same age. Not only that, but he's read the same books I have. He was just accepted at the University of Colorado where he is going to study Astronomy. Derek has been cycling for four years now and is one of few that did not come from mountain biking. He did the juniour world cup in Canada and raced in the espoir world cup Liege this year.

It was nice to have someone so similar to me, we went to a few UCIs and kermis' together and both suffered through our weakspots, the cobbles. Derek also showed me how to make oatmeal properly, which I always saw him eating. We also came up with a few theories on how Aaron maintains his bikes shine.

I shook hands with Derek yesterday as he departed for the train station in one of the team vehicles, I don't think he was too happy to be leaving the Cycling Center and I don't think the Cycling Center was too happy to let Derek go.