Just over a year ago Hamish Bond was atop the podium at the Rio Olympics after winning a second rowing gold medal.
Tonight he'll compete against world's best cyclists in the individual time trial at road world champs in Norway.
Among Bond's competitors will be Tour de France and Vuelta á Espana winner, Chris Froome of Britain and Dutch rider champion Tom Dumoulin who won the Giro d 'Italia.
Bond has lost over 10kgs since he stepped out of the boat and has spent time in Europe with a time trial specialist coach and club and has trained over the course.
"I've seen the course more than most. I have to do all I can to overcome my inexperience in general so if a bit of course familiarity can help me out then certainly I will take it," said Bond.
Hamish Bond Photo: Photosport
"I've spent more time on it than any other people in the race, but whether that will help me in the race, then only time will tell."
The 31km course is much shorter than usual with plenty of undulations and a daunting 3km climb to the finish.
"The good thing about the time trial is that regardless of whether the likes of Chris Froome is in the race or not, there is nothing he can do to directly impact my performance and vice versa.
"It is not as if I am trying to follow him up a hill and getting humbled. All I can do is execute my race and then wait until he finishes and see how we compare.
"I've taken on a lot of responsibility. There's no precedent for what I am doing, no pathway. At times I get the perception that people think all this has fallen in front of me but everything I have achieved to date in this venture, I have had to figure out how to do it.
That includes equipment, training, where to train, logistics, everything … I have had to take it all on. It has taken an all-encompassing approach and that is the nature of it.
"There are dreamers and doers. I have tried to dream big and now I'm trying to achieve it. It is all very well having an idea or a vision but it is about how to get there. That has been a big challenge.
"Rowing would have been taking the easy path and I have not taken that but at the same time I am enjoying the experience."
-RNZ
