Jelle Van Damme was a gifted footballer at Anderlecht and Standard, but has become a passionate cyclist since his retirement. So much so that he is participating in the BK clay court this weekend.
After all, the former top football player trains like a real professional. “And I am at the start of a Belgian championship in Turnhout for the first time,” he says in HBvL.
“Stress? No. I ride for the prizes, but I don’t make it a goal. I would like to win in my own category – elite 3. But only one person can win. Do you understand?”
He hasn’t ridden much on gravel yet. “Valkenburg last Sunday was my first clay court match ever. I’m completely choco-free, to the extent that I skipped exploring the BC course.”
“What’s fun about gravel? Nothing! Or at least, you go to places you would otherwise never go. But I do it because I was tempted to participate in the Unbound together with Greg (Van Avermaet, ed.) , in the US. That’s why I want to be on that gravel bike as much as possible.”
Die Unbound is a race of no less than 300 kilometers. “What have I actually gotten myself into? Oh well, as long as I’m having fun,” said the man who also pulled his rope on the road. “I am a real team player who goes above and beyond for the leaders. Honestly, I think I would have made a good servant.”
Tags: Jelle Van Damme aiming Belgian championship aiming prizes Football news
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