An honest reaction after a great race. John Heymans ran a strong and daring race in the 5,000 meters in Rome yesterday. Our compatriot ultimately ended up in 10th place, but was proud that he had shown courage. “I was constantly at the front, that’s better than being at the back like a wimp,” he said afterwards.
And whether John Heymans had gone deep at the European Championship. After his 5,000 meters, our compatriot appeared in front of Maarten Vangramberen’s microphone, panting heavily.
“My race plan was to run from the back for three quarters of the race, save energy in the train and then move up in the last 1,600 meters,” Heymans immediately explains.
“What I did was run well at the front for three quarters of the race and then run all the way to the front. I pulled and pushed a little too much and lost some energy.”
But afterwards Heymans was more than satisfied with his race. “Because I met two criteria. Firstly, I gave everything and secondly, I ran well tactically.”
“It wasn’t perfect, because I should have pushed and pulled less, but I did run with courage at the front.”
I just threw up here and have a headache. That means I couldn’t squeeze any more out.
John Heymans
The fact that the man from Meise started the last round at the outposts was his goal. “Bravo John, bravo to myself,” Heymans laughed.
“I just threw up here and I have a headache. That means I couldn’t squeeze out any more. Maybe I should have planned something better, because in the last straight line I fell silent, like always.”
Our compatriot indeed lost a few places there. “But I’m happy that I ran at the front with courage,” he repeats. “I learn from my mistakes. That’s better than walking at the back like a wimp and not learning anything from your match.”
Finally, Heymans was also asked about the heating chamber he used to prepare. “The engineers at Ineos Grenadiers have shown that for every degree our body temperature rises, cyclists can pedal one percent less wattage,” he explains.
“It’s the same with runners. So it certainly contributed.” Or how top athletes leave nothing to chance.
Watch the denouement of the match here:
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