Interview: This week at the BMC Team-Up Camp in Altea, southern Spain, we had the opportunity to talk to one of the most successful mountain bikers in history. BMC pro Julien Absalon can look back on a 15-year, extremely successful cross-country career. The Frenchman in a Velomotion interview about Rio, the end of his career and his passion for rallying.
Hello Julien, quite spontaneously - when you think back to last season, what was your personal highlight?
Julien: That was clearly my World Cup victory in Albstadt (to the Velomotion report). On the one hand it's simply my favorite track and on the other hand it was a really thrilling race. Nino [Schurter, editor's note Red.] had a great day, I had a great day. Just before the last lap it looked like I would have to admit defeat to Nino, but when he fell it was enough for me. It was a very emotional win for me.
So such races and such victories have not become routine for you in the meantime? After all, you've been cycling professionally for over 15 years and have won almost everything there is to win.
Julien: No, that's the nice thing about it: Such victories and such emotions never become routine. I think I can really say that I'm still as happy about my victories as I was 10 or 12 years ago.
Speaking of great emotions – the Olympic Games in Rio are coming up next year. The big highlight of the season, right?
Julien: Sure, without question, the Olympics are my fixed point in the next season and my third gold medal [after 2004 in Athens and 2008 in Beijing, editor's note. Red.] would be the perfect end to my career. I would like to be remembered by people with such an achievement. Especially since things didn't go so well in London 2012 and I retired early with a defect.
Does the Olympics also determine the season planning and preparation for you?
Julien: I wouldn't say that. Sure, it's always in the back of your mind, but the Olympics aren't until August, at the end of the season! I want to have a good season before that because there is no better training than real racing practice. I would love to win again in Albstadt. The closer the games get, the sooner you will see whether we have to adjust training and planning. A lot can happen in one season.
You were already on the Olympic course in Rio this year as part of the Mountain Bike Challenge – what do you think of that?
Julien: Yes, I already know the course, it's been there for quite a while. I like him. It is technically very demanding and with its long climb suits me better than, for example, the flat course at the London Games three years ago. The only thing that bothers me a bit – it feels kind of artificial. All the obstacles are man-made, as are cornering and everything else. The spirit that actually defines mountain biking gets lost a bit.
Speaking of mountain biking, has the road never appealed to you? Many of your colleagues switched to narrow tires at some point.
Julien: No, never. I'm a mountain biker. I've had a few opportunities and also very good offers, especially after my gold medal in Athens. But it was never really an issue for me. I like the short, explosive races in cross-country - I do like to ride my racing bike in my spare time or during training, but in competition I will always remain a mountain biker.
Let's stick to the street for a moment. There is a lot of talk and discussion going on right now because the UCI will allow disc brakes on the road from next season. Can you understand the worries and concerns of your colleagues?
Julien: Not really to be honest. When I think back to the time disc brakes were introduced to us, we were all very excited. Sure, the conditions are different, but the braking power, especially in the wet, is so much better with discs and so much easier to assess. The risk of injury in mass falls may increase slightly - but safety on the descent increases enormously. I think that disc brakes will establish themselves very quickly - also on the road.
What do you do when you're not on the bike? Are you going to do anything else at all?
Julien: (laughs) Of course! In winter, for example, I love to go skiing in the mountains. Another passion is motorsport, or more precisely rally driving – in the past I have taken part in one or the other event just for fun.
After the Olympics you hang up your cycling shoes - do you already have a plan for what comes next?
Julien: Not really. But I really have to think about it - I'm a total sports addict. I can not without. And in the meantime I've also gotten so used to competitive life, it's going to be really tough. But I'll find something (laughs).
I think so! Anyway, thank you for your time and good luck in the coming year!
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