I’m the guy who can’t do anything but can do everything

My road from Latvia to the World Tour wasn’t an easy one but it’s one I appreciate today. I spent two years in France as a 20-year-old racing at a high level. We did races like Critérium International where I was racing guys who’ve spent more time on a bike than I’d been alive. Those were two tough years but I came out of it with a passion for riding my bike so that was a good sign.

My contract wasn’t renewed after the two years which meant I had to head back home to a local team. Everyone saw it as a step back, but I saw it as an opportunity. I had a desire to race a bike and just love being able to go outside and ride wherever. I made sure I was going to bounce back.

2013 ended up being an incredible year. I was top 10 in Tour de l’Avenir, Tour of Flanders, Europeans championships and the World Championships along with a bunch of victories. I was hoping for a World Tour contract, but it didn’t come. At the time I couldn’t help but wonder if I was from France, Belgium, Italy or Denmark, one of those well-respected nations, if I’d get the offer I was hoping for.

To a lot of people, a Latvian is still a Russian but to a Russian, a Latvian is a Latvian – so we don’t really fit anywhere.

Photo credit: Jamie Forrest/Trek-Segafredo

I was sad the World Tour contract didn’t pan out, but I motivated myself and saw it as a challenge. I ended up going to the States, racing for Hincapie Sportswear. I’m happy that I went there because that’s probably the most fun I had in bike racing. I met my girlfriend there, so I wouldn’t change a thing.

That experience of taking a longer road to get to the World Tour cemented what my parents taught me. It’s important to appreciate the things you have. Growing up, we weren’t a rich family and never had crazy amounts of money. I had to earn everything I had. My parents didn’t buy me a bike, I got one from my local club and had to prove that I deserved a bike. I started on one that had down shifters on the frame. It taught me that hard work will pay off eventually. I’ve taken that with me through the years.

Toms wins Trofeo Lloseta-Andratx in Mallorca

Now on Trek-Segafredo, I’m always mindful of that. I work hard and don’t take for granted the amazing support we receive. I was happy to show myself to my new team at the beginning of this year when I won in Mallorca. The result came as a surprise to me.

I always need several races to get going at the beginning of the season because I can’t replicate the leg speed you need for racing in training. The day I won, I was just riding along without any stress or expectation because the previous day I’d been dropped by the leaders. I actually almost got dropped a few times throughout the day but in the last 40 kilometres, I counted there were only 40 guys left. Then a little later there were only 30 guys and I thought, this is cool, I’ll get some result today. At one point it was like, oh man, there’s only 10 of us left and I’m still here. How did that happen? The team was amazing, and we had a lot of numbers in the final 30km, so we played our cards and I was the one that managed to get a gap when the group hesitated. Bauke was there and he made sure they kept hesitating. To win was such a sweet feeling for all of us.

People often ask me what kind of a rider I am. I’m the guy who can’t do anything but can do everything. I like the role I am in where I sort of play a role everywhere instead of one specified role like riding for GC or something. I’m looking forward to my story unfolding some more as I try to show the world what Latvia can do.