Interview Alexe De Raedemaeker

After a strong year in the juniors category, immediately taking part in the elite category as first year U23 rider. That is the significant progression that Alexe De Raedemaeker made this season. She uses this Winter mostly to discover her strenghts and set great results now and then for herself among the pros.  After that you can also expect the 18 years old Belgian on the road. After a good 2024, she also wants to set new steps this year. You can already get to know her better in this interview.

How do you look back at your cyclocross season so far?

I'm in general, very happy about the season that I had so far. Of course, there are still races with worse results, but I remember most of all that I grew a lot this season on a technical base and as an athletes as a whole. I'm also very grateful that I always received the opportunity to take part in World Cups and to gain a lot of experience in that.

How did it feel this Winter to share the podium with Marie Schreiber and former national Belgian champion, Joyce Vanderbeken?

This was a very beautiful moment. I think that Marie already broke away in the first 30 seconds of the race, what wasn't a suprise. But it's unique to share the podium with someone who won a World Cup later in the season.

What are your remaining goals for this Winter?

This season is mostly about learning in the U23/Elite category. I'm happy to be in an environment where the team doesn't put expectations on me, so that I can grow on my own pace with the right support. I'm hoping on a decent result on the nationals this weekend, and then I can look further on the rest of the season. I'm continuing till the end of the season in Oostmalle. After that I take some rest and I start my preparation for the road season.

What are your favourite tracks?

Tracks with a quick flowing surface, preferably also with sand. Antwerp, Brumath, Mol,...

How did you discover cyclocross?

I've done triatlon before. I mainly focused on Xterra's (Crosstriatlon). In 2018, I took part in a girls-day in the Sven Nys cycling center and after that I was immediatly into it. I still combined it with cyclocross for 2 more years with triatlon, but it became too much and I enjoyed cycling way more. So that decision was easily made.

What are your ambitions in the sport?

Mostly fun, learning step-by-step and see how far I can get. Sport in combination with my studies are also very important to me personally. I'm combing it at the moment with nursing. This is a domain that I already dreamed about as a child and I'm also very happy that I receive the chance to combine it with cycling.

Do you also have ambitions on the road?

This year, like in cyclocross, I will see how things will turn out in the U23/Elite peloton. I receive a chance by the KDM-Pack Cycling Team to ride with them as a guest rider. I'm very happy with that and I'm excited to also learn a lot and gain experience.