Interview Mandy Marquardt

When you're tuning in at the Olympic Games next season then you'll problably want to cheer for Mandy Marquardt. The 18 times American track champion is an inspiration for many people with and without diabetes. She's currently part of of the Novo Norvdisk team, a cycling project that offers chances to diabetes-patients to perform in races on the highest level. The 28 years old track cyclist from Pensylvania had a very nice interview with us. Below you can read more about her Road to Tokyo 2021.

18 American national titles. That seems to be an enormous amount of titles. Is it something that you got used too or every new title still feels as exciting as your first one?

All titles are special for different reasons. My first two national titles came in 2003, a month before I turned 12. My parents drove from our home in south Florida to Texas for me to compete in the U.S. Junior Women’s 10-12 Road National Championships. It was incredible to win two gold medals, in the criterium and time trial, and also earn a silver, in the road race.

I also won several collegiate titles, which were special being part of a team for The Pennsylvania State University - Penn State Lehigh Valley campus. It was during this time I started to focus on track sprint cycling. My Elite titles are special because I'm racing in my Team Novo Nordisk kit! I enjoy all National Championship events because they have allowed me to not just compete, but travel to new places, make new friends and new memories.

How did you discover track cycling? When did you start taking part in races?

I began racing my bicycle in 2003 at the age of 10, when I lived in Plantation, Florida, which is near Fort Lauderdale. The Brian Piccolo Velodrome was a short drive from our home, so that was a safe place to learn to ride.

You were diagnosed with diabetes at the age of 16. What do you have to do differently in comparing to 'regular' athletes to reach the same high level?

I work just as hard as athletes who have a working pancreas. I face challenges they might not need to think about, such as, how this food/meal is going to affect my blood sugar, and how traveling to a different time zone will impact my insulin regime. These are many of the few variables that have an effect on my training, racing, energy, recovery and performance. I wear a continuous glucose monitor, which tells me my blood sugar 24/7, similar to a powermeter – haha!

I’ve been living with diabetes for almost 13 years and I’m still always learning and improving my diabetes management. I work closely with team endocrinologist, Charlotte Hayes and my coach, Andrew Harris, analyzing my training and diabetes data. Everyone is different and there’s not a one size fits all approach.

You won bronze at the 2016 Pan-American Championships. How did it feel to represent your country and win a bronze medal?

The Pan-Am Championships have incredible athletes, so it’s always great to represent the U.S  and accumulate UCI points for World Cups, World Championships and Olympic Qualifying points. I've competed at the Pan American Championships since 2016 and have a total of 6 Pan American Championships medals (1 gold, 2 silver and 3 bronze). Winning these medals and getting the opportunity to represent my country at the world stage is always very special.

You're 28 years old now. For many athletes it's the peak of their career. What are your ambitions short & long term?

Well, age is just a number. I feel like I am in great mental and physical condition and I love riding my bike. Even though racing has been shut down this spring and summer due to the Covid-19 this year, I continue to train in the gym and on the bike. It was great to get back on the track this month (June) at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania.

One of my ambitions is to represent the U.S. at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. I was honored that USA Cycling named me as a member of the Long Team for Women’s Track. The final selection will be made next year, since the Tokyo Games have been rescheduled for July 23-August 8, 2021. I’d count that as a long-term goal for now.

How do you combine road training with sessions on the track? What is your preferred training method?

I enjoy quiet country roads here in Pennsylvania for road training, but nothing can replace time at the velodrome. I spend time 25-30 hours a week training, which also includes time in the gym building strength, explosive power and focusing on mobility for injury prevention.If your readers have not tried track cycling yet, I encourage them to find a velodrome close to home or make it part of their next vacation. Velodromes usually have bikes to rent and instructors who would be glad to introduce them to the sport.

There are any young American talents in many disciplines like Chloe Dygert-Owen, Quinn Simmons, Madigan Munro,... Is it a coincidence that so many American talents are coming at the same time, or there maybe is an explanation?

USA Cycling is focused on developing young talent. They offer many resources across the country in every discipline - track, road, BMX, mountain bike. I am a member of the USA Cycling National Team and have gotten to know many of these young athletes, such as Megan Jastrab and my Team Novo Nordisk teammate, McKenna McKee. These young ladies are genuine people and I believe they can all inspire more young people to become passionate about cycling.

What are your passions apart from cycling?

Well, I love cycling. I am proud to be in my 10th year as a member of Team Novo Nordisk, a global all-diabetes professional cycling team. We inspire, educate and empower everyone affected by diabetes. Being an elite athlete is a full-time job, and managing diabetes is 24/7. I strive to be a role model for young girls to pursue dreams, as well as a role model for people with diabetes to empower them to live life to the fullest.

I also love being home for a while this year, which is different. It allows me to be more involved with my alma mater as a member of the Penn State Lehigh Valley Alumni Board of Directors. And it allows me more time gardening, and relaxing at home with my fiancé, two dogs and two cats.

Thanks you for the interview, Mandy!

You can follow Mandy on the these platforms

Instagram: @mandymarquardt

Twitter: @MandyMarquardt

Facebook: @MandyMarquardtCycling

Personal Web site: mandymarquardt.com

Team Web site: www.teamnovonordisk.com/teammembers/mandy-marquardt-2/

Interview Minke Bakker (EN)

Interview Minke Bakker

Minke Bakker is a young sprinter, but she wants to become even more. She wants to become an all round rider and she receives all chances for it by the Doltcini - Van Eyck Sport - Proximus Team. Because of that, now already a look at the future of the 23 years old talent from the Netherlands. Do we see her already a few times in front during the Autumn Classics?

You're 23 years old right now so you still can make a lot of progress. What are your goals on a long term?

I feel very comfortable at Doltcini Van Eyck Sport – Proximus. It's a team that gives you opportunities to develop yourself and that supports you in it. I hope to grow together with them to a better rider and I would like to perform well on the World Tour level off course.

What are your ambitious on a short term?

On a short term, I would mainly like to grow to a stronger rider. I want to develop myself to an all round rider so that I can put in effort for the team on different ways. There are still beautiful big races where I would like to show myself.

What are your favourite races?

My favourite races are the races that have been harden by hard weather conditions. Rain, wind, for me it's all fine! My favourites are the Spring classics that will be in Autumn, like the Brabantse Pijl, Tour of Flanders and the first edition of Paris – Roubaix.

It's your first season with Doltcini – Van Eyck Sport – Proximus. How was the transfer to the new team?

That's true! This season everything is different off course, but I think that the team gave already great opportunities early this season. In January, I've been to Australia for the Tour Down Under and the Cadel Evans Road Race and in February to Spain for the Setmana Ciclista Valencia. Before we had already team weekends that showed that we got along very well in a short time. I can say for sure that the move has been very fluent for me. I'm already feeling welcome in theam from the beginning. The atmosphere is very good!

Which role do you have in the team?

My role within the team is being the sprinter. I didn't had many races yet to show this quality well. But I received a free frole in Australia. By this, I've also showed in the Cadel Evans Road Race that I've been able to be in the breakaway. I'm convinced that we still have ride a good Autumn campaign, where we can achieve many victories with the team.

How and when did you start cycling?

I grew up in a real sports family. I've started riding on a little 'Jan Jansen' bike from my father with 22 inch tyres. The choice to step on the make has been quickly made by myself. Pleasure always was a priority for me. My little sisters have been cycling as well in their childhood and together with my family, we travel accrosed the whole Netherlands for races. We also made day trips of them.

Who inspired you to start doing cycling? Did you have an idol?

Like I've mentioned before, I grew up in a real sports family. My aunt (Debby Mansveld) cycled on a high level and this made me realising even more how beautiful it is to travel around the world and do what I enjoy the most. Futher are riders like Vos and Van der Breggen icons that I have a lot of respect for.

What do you enjoy the most about cycling?

The most beautiful about the sport is that you constantly search how far you can go over your own limits. Pushing yourself till the maximum and see the world. The perfect combination!

Thanks for the interview, Minke!

Interview Minke Bakker (NL)

Interview Minke Bakker

Minke Bakker is een jonge sprintster, maar ze wil nog zo veel meer worden. Ze will een allround renster worden en krijgt daarvoor alle kansen bij het Doltcini - Van Eyck Sport - Proximus team. Daarom nu al een blik op de toekomst met het nu 23 jarige talent uit Nederland. Zien we haar dit jaar al een paar keer in beeld tijdens de najaar klassiekers?

Je bent nu 23 jaar, dus je kan nog veel groeien. Wat zijn je doelen op langere termijn?

Bij Doltcini Van Eyck Sport - Proximus voel ik mij op dit moment erg op mijn plek. Het is een team dat je de mogelijkheden geeft door te ontwikkelen en je hier graag in wilt stimuleren en helpen. Ik hoop samen met hun nog door te kunnen groeien tot een betere renster en uiteindelijk wil ik natuurlijk op WorldTour niveau goed kunnen presteren.

Wat zijn je ambities op kortere termijn?

Op kortere termijn wil ik voornamelijk groeien tot een sterkere renster. Ik wil mezelf ontwikkelen tot een allround renster waardoor ik mijzelf nog meer op verschillende vlakken voor het team kan inzetten. Er komen nog mooie grote wedstrijden aan waarin ik mijzelf wil tonen.

Wat zijn je favoriete wedstrijden?

Mijn favorieten zijn toch wel de wedstrijden waar de koers al hard word gemaakt door de weersomstandigheden. Regen, wind, het mag van mij allemaal! Favorieten zijn dan toch wel de voorjaarsklassiekers die nu dus in het najaar zullen verreden worden. Zoals de Brabantse pijl, Ronde van Vlaanderen en de eerste editie van Parijs Roubaix.

Het is je eerste seizoen bij Doltcini - Van Eyck Sport, hoe verliep de overstap naar je nieuwe team?

Dat klopt! Dit seizoen loopt alles natuurlijk even anders, maar ik denk dat het team de rensters al mooie kansen heeft gegeven vroeg in dit seizoen. Zo ben ik in januari al voor de TourDownUnder en CadelEvans RoadRace in Australië geweest en voor de Setmana Ciclista Valencia in februari naar Spanje. Hiervoor hebben wij ook al teamweekenden gehad waaruit bleek dat we in korte tijd al goed op elkaar zijn afgestemd. Ik kan dus zeker zeggen dat de overstap erg soepel is verlopen voor mij. Vanaf het begin voel ik mij erg welkom binnen het team, de sfeer is erg goed!

Welke rol heb je nu zelf binnen de ploeg?

Mijn rol binnen de ploeg is toch wel de sprinter. Ik heb nog niet veel wedstrijden gehad om deze kwaliteit goed uit te laten komen, maar zo heb ik in Australië wel een vrije rol gekregen. Hierdoor heb ik in de CadelEvans RoadRace kunnen laten zien dat ik ook mee kan in de aanval. Ik ben ervan overtuigd dat we nog een erg mooi naseizoen gaan rijden, waar we met het team nog mooie overwinningen kunnen behalen. 

Hoe en wanneer ben je met wielrennen begonnen?

Ik kom uit een echte sportfamilie. Zo ben ik begonnen op de kleine ‘jan jansen’ van mijn vader met 22inch wieltjes(!). De keuze om op de fiets te stappen was voor mijzelf dan ook snel gemaakt. Plezier heeft altijd voorop gestaan. Mijn zusjes hebben in de jeugdjaren ook gefietst en samen met mijn familie reisden we heel Nederland door voor wedstrijdjes, waar we dan hele dagjes uit van maakte.

Wie inspireerde je om met wielrennen te beginnen? Had je een idool?

Zoals ik hiervoor benoemde kom ik echt uit een sportfamilie, zo heeft mijn tante (Debby Mansveld) op hoog niveau gefietst en dit heeft mij toch wel nog meer doen realiseren hoe mooi het is als wielrenster de wereld over te gaan met het geen wat je het liefste doet. Verder zijn rensters als Vos en Van der Breggen wel iconen waar ik veel respect voor heb.

Wat vind je het leukst aan wielrennen?

Het mooiste aan de wielersport vind ik dat je constant de grens opzoekt in hoe ver je kunt gaan. Jezelf tot het uiterste drijven en hiermee ook nog eens wat van de wereld kunnen zien. De perfecte combinatie!

Bedankt voor het interview, Minke!