Caluag gears up for ride of his life

LONDON– BMX rider Danny Caluag went practically everywhere building up for the 30th Olympic Games, mindful of the tough challenge ahead and the big expectations of a nation desperately wanting to end a humiliating run of defeats in the biggest sports stage of all.

“Yes I am aware of it (Filipinos expecting him to land a medal). It’s a big challenge for me,’’ said Caluag when told that he’s the closest thing to a podium finish among the 11 Filipino athletes seeing action in the London Games.

Accompanied by long-time partner and mechanic Stephanie, Caluag hit town onTuesday morning after a 12-hour trip from Los Angeles, looking as if he could get on his $3,000 Speedo bike anytime and take on anyone at any place.

Over lunch at the AthletesVillage, the 25-year-old Caluag said he built up for his first Olympics like never before, competing and training in the Netherlands, Kentucky, USA and Canada where he had raced against some of the big guns who are here.

That includes defending champion Maris Strombergs of Latvia, whom he had beaten on several occassions in the course of their training for the Games.

‘’I have beaten him on some tournaments and training session. He’s a fast guy,” said Caluag of Strombergs, who won when the event made its debut in the Beijing Games four years ago.

‘’He’ll still be the favorite, I guess. But anything can happen,’’ said Danny, adding his father, a native of Malolos Bulacan who’s maried to a nurse from Licab, Nueva Ecija, will come and be his biggest cheerer when he goes to the track on August 8.

Since he believes that the road to success is built on pain and hard work, Caluag won’t just luxuriate in the splendor and charms of London and become idle even for a day.

This morning, Caluag willl bike around the sprawling Athletes Village for around 90 minutes, something he’ll do every other day up to the first day of competitions. In between, he’ll proceed to the gym for body conditioning.

‘’I love to succeed. This is a great sport. That’s why I can’t afford to be lazy. I won’t take this opportunity (competing in the Olympics) for granted,” Caluag said, helping himself with noodles and some slices of beef in his first meal at the massive dining hall.