2012 is looming but Pooley is determined not to think about it

By James Toney

EMMA Pooley is small in stature and big in talent but she's not getting distracted by the countdown to London 2012.

LOOKING FOR AN UPGRADE: Emma Pooley (right) helped Nicole Cooke (left) to road race gold and then won time trial silver in Beijing (Getty Images)

The 27-year old believes she has already found the formula for Olympic success - she's determined not to think about it.

Pooley played a key supporting role as Nicole Cooke sprinted to a famous road race gold under the shadow of the Great Wall in Beijing.

And just a few days later she climbed the podium herself, taking silver in the time trial.

But while today's 1000 day to go anniversary to the start of the 2012 Olympics will bring home the fast-approaching reality of a home Games for many, Pooley prefers a low-profile.

Before last year's Games, she consistently refused to talk about her expectations.

While some are motivated by talking big, the diminutive and iron-willed Pooley prefers the sound of silence.

She takes a view shared by many sports psychologists that obsessing about results only adds stress and diminishes chance of success.

"Before Beijing I tried to have no expectations, I deliberately didn't talk about medals or targets," she said.

"Obviously I wanted to win but I took the view that if I rode the perfect race and performed to the best of my ability, the right outcome would follow.

"It seemed to work and on the day I couldn't have done any better."

However, don't think that Pooley isn't desperate for an upgrade in London, underlining her credentials this year with a victory in the Grande Boucle Feminine Internationale, the women's version of the Tour de France.

"I'm still overjoyed with my Olympic silver, it was such a highlight to stand up there on the podium," added the Cambridge graduate.

"However, I'm not ready for Beijing to be the highlight of my entire career, I've so many other ambitions and things that I want to achieve.

"There are still many weaknesses that I can improve on. I was pleased last year but not satisfied.

"There is more to do - I need to hone my tactics, work on technical stuff like riding in a bunch and I can always be more consistent."

FOCUS: Emma Pooley is sticking to a tested formula on the build-up to the London 2012 Olympics (Getty Images)

Pooley nearly quit sport three years ago after growing disillusioned with her career as a triathlete but luckily she proved that perseverance can pay off.

This year she has continued to add to her palmares, winning a first national time trial title in Abergavenny and two World Cup events.

But she finished a disappointing 14th in the road race and 11th in the time trial at the World Championships in Mendrisio last month.

Pooley railed against the suggestion the course in Switzerland didn't suit her.

The steep terrain in Beijing last year certainly played into the hands of Pooley, who combines the prized combination of climbing and time trialling ability.

The London road race and time trial course has still to be decided.

Original plans would have taken the cyclists a from Regent's Park, through Primrose Hill and Kentish Town and via a King of the Mountains section around Hampstead Heath.

It was a profile that certainly suited the slight 5ft 2ins Pooley but cycling's world governing body, the UCI, have demanded changes from London 2012 organisers.

They want the route to take in more of London's postcard landmarks - with a much flatter route from the Houses of Parliament to Windsor Castle and back to Buckingham Palace proposed.

While the route may be toughened up by some climbs on the Surrey Downs, the course would see the sprinters, such as British star Mark Cavendish, start favourites.

"I don't like the implication that I only got a medal in Beijing because it was a certain kind of course and I want the chance to prove myself on flatter courses," adds Pooley, who now lives and trains in Zurich, while also studying for her PhD in geotechnical engineering.

Pooley was edged into silver in Beijing by a cyclist named Armstrong - although Kristin is no relation to fellow American Lance, the seven-time Tour de France winner.

This season the rivals have been united as team-mates in the powerful Cervelo squad and Armstrong, nine years Pooley's senior, won the time trial world title last month.

But Pooley's rivals for success in London could come closer from home.

Cooke - who has endured a mixed season - is a proven performer while Rebecca Romero, who won the pursuit title on the track in Beijing, has hinted at a move to road cycling ahead of London.

In addition rising star Lizzie Armitstead, a colleague at Cervelo, has already proven herself in track endurance events and finished second behind Cooke in this year's national road race championship, while Pooley settled for bronze.

"The standard is increasing every year - but you can only control your own performance," added Pooley.

"Being part of the Cervelo team has been fantastic for me, it's such a strong squad and we've had great results and that makes everyone raise their standards.

"You don't sit back and think that training is going all right - you want to keep looking at how you can improve to keep up and keep being part of it, really."

Pooley has joked that her long-term ambition is to open a tea shop but she shows no signs of slowing down yet and with the London countdown gathering momentum, it's a good job.