Interview Viktoriia Melnychuk

You're a talented cyclist, you're even booking good results abroad while your homeland is under constant fire. It's not easy to combine this all, but Viktoriia Melnychuk is one of the brave Ukrainian riders who manages to do so. In this interview, she tells more about her career, about her ambitions but also about the situation in her homeland and how it has an impact on the domestic cycling scene since the start of the illegal invasion, 3 years ago. Get to know the 27 years old rider who's working on her way up in the peloton.

You collected good results on the international stage. How do you look at your season so far?

The season started well with second place in Czech Republic. Now I took 14th place in Estonia at the uci race and I was also 11th at the grand fondo where we started with the men and the distance was 130km on the hills, there was a strong wind and a very high pace from the start. My last race was in Austria which consisted of 4 stages, I was really looking forward to this race but unfortunately on the first stage I had a health problem and it was a nice decision to continue the race as a training session if I didn’t have severe pains and to be alert to my problem so that there would be no complications. Not quite the results I had hoped for, there is room for improvement.

What are your goals for this Summer?

To move as far up the career ladder as possible ( I won’t be verbose)😀

Your country has been under attack for 3 years now. Which impact does it have on you mentally?

I spend most of my time in Europe and I am home in the extreme rarely, 1-2 times a year. It’s very hard to train with us because the situation is still not calm and when there is shelling at home you are always thinking about your family and you can’t always be fully focused on the race, but it’s our work and we have to switch. A few days ago was a year since my uncle died in the war, it’s hard to relive that day again. I always keep in touch with my family, so I am calm.

Do you believe that the cycling world does enough to support Ukrainian cyclists?

Many athletes were able to get into teams from different countries, stay in Europe and grow at the international level, which is very important, because with the beginning of the war many athletes in Ukraine gave up sports and some even went to defend our country. Racing in Europe is very different from racing in Ukraine, even if you take national races for example. Europe accepted us as refugees and helped us a lot, they gave us bicycles, clothes and everything they could, helped with payments, held different events in support of Ukraine.Many athletes were able to get into teams from different countries, stay in Europe and grow at the international level, which is very important, because with the beginning of the war many athletes in Ukraine gave up sports and some even went to defend our country. Racing in Europe is very different from racing in Ukraine, even if you take national races for example. Europe accepted us as refugees and helped us a lot, they gave us bicycles, clothes and everything they could, helped with payments, held different events in support of Ukraine.

What are your long term ambitions in the sport?

I would like to compete at a professional level and contract with a professional team

How did you discover the sport?

At first my younger sister took up cycling, coaches came to our school and recruited children, at first I was not interested. But after a year of her training I decided to give it a try and now it has become an integral part of my life.

What do you see as your main strenghts as a rider?

I always have a strong motivation and dedication. I am ready to train in any weather, especially when I see that my performance is increasing and my fitness is improving. At times like this, I just want to go, go and go

How would you like the World to support your country & cyclists better in the coming time?

Not to forget. We want the world to keep talking about the war in Ukraine, to help our people, refugees, children and athletes who have lost homes, clubs, roads and, unfortunately, the lives of loved ones.More starts on the international stage. Sponsorship whether it’s sports nutrition, workout clothes or sports equipment. The opportunity to play in professional teams, it really gives you more confidence.