Interview Mieke Docx (English)

Interview Mieke Docx

After we interviewed Cesar Benedetti before, we're glad to also interview someone from the women peloton. This time not an established rider but a rider that recently joined the peloton and that we can still expect a lot of. Today we get to know young Belgian talent, Mieke Docx

 

How and why did you start cycling?

I've started when I was about 16-17 years old. I was a big fan of cyclocross and I wanted dto take part in it ass well, but it took a long time before I was allowed to buy my first bicycle because my parents thought that it was a whim because they actually didn't have any experience in cycling themselves. After that it took a year before I was allowed to ride my first race, actually on the road. I've also took part in a few cyclocross races but I quickly realized that my future wouldn't be there. My first year as a junior rider was a disaster, but after it, things improved. But it didn't came into my mind to ever take part in a pro race.

What are your ambitions for this season?

I don't have too high ambitions. I want to grow to the top slowly. But off course I'm very motivated to set again a new step forward. I hope to again win one or more criterium-styled races, but mostly to set again another step forward in the major races with some good results. The national championship is this year in Kortrijk, the city where I'm living so I hope to set a good performance despite that I'm not a real time trial specialist.

What are your goals on a long term in your carreer?

I want to do this sport as a full time job, one day. I see this as a possibility according to the current evolution in women cycling. Next to that, I want to develop myself as a climber. The real mountains aren't my terreain, but the hilly parcours and parcours with short steep climbs could become my terrain on a long term.

Who was your cycling idol before you became a cyclist yourself?

I had two cycling idols, the first one was off course a cyclocross-racer: Tom Meeusen, en and the second one was Kris Boeckmans. He teached me a lot as a young rider and I still hear him often.

How would you describe yourself as a cyclist?

As I said, I'm not a real climber, but I am someone that likes to climb and can handle a few climbs during the races. Next to that, I'm also fast in small groups. I'm not the best in positioning, but in smaller groups where I have enough space, I'm quite quick. I'm also persistant. I won't give up quickly.

What are your passions outside of cycling?

Outside of cycling, I like to fiddle. I don't like to stay quiet so I'm mostly busy with small things, But I also can enjoy Flemish TV and I would like to work behind the scenes for a TV-show after my cycling carreer.

What is your favourite kind of music?

I enjoy listening rap music like Eminem, Tourist LEMC, Dutch music, current pop music. I'm into many styles. For now, I'm listening mostly to the Lewis Capaldi.

Women cycling grew a lot, what could still imrpove in the sport and how do you think that the sport will evolve?

We are on an unbelievable good way. I've noticed that during the Santos Women's Tour Down Under. That's been very well organized. But it's a pity that it's not like that everywhere. There are certainly a few things that still could be improved but if I look on the speed that things grew, then it's almost impossible that not everything is well arranged yet. But I think that if we have enough patience, that women cycling could become fully professional, but as I said, we can't expect these things too fast yet.