Interview Minke Bakker
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!
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