{"id":12941,"title":"Ellen van Loy","description":"If it wasn't for her husband, it seems unlikely that Ellen van Loy would've become a cyclocross legend. She's combined a successful cyclocross career whilst working as a carer for vulnerable adults.","content":"

Published in<\/strong>: CYCLOCROSS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Meet Ellen van Loy, the accidental cyclocross legend.<\/p>

\"\" <\/em>Cyclocross legend Ellen van Loy <\/em><\/strong>Image: Ellen van Loy<\/em><\/p>

If it wasn't for her husband Tom, it seems unlikely that Ellen van Loy would've become a cyclocross legend. With his help, she's combined a successful cyclocross career whilst working as a carer for vulnerable adults.<\/p>

\"2dosyg6y6liufrsddel9ixszgojwmjsokx03o5t7itqoqqu9.jpg\"<\/u><\/a>I have always admired her, so I was delighted when the manager of her Vondelmolen - De Ceuster team, Stijn van Hout, enabled me to arrange an interview.<\/p>

How did Ellen get into cyclocross?<\/h3>

I start by asking Ellen how she became involved in cyclocross. Having watched her race many times, I'd assumed that she had been riding and racing since she was a youngster, encouraged by her typically cycling-mad Flemish family.<\/p>

Many people have assumed that the Herenthout resident is related to the famous \"Emperor of Herentals\",<\/em> Rik Van Looy. Except that she isn't and their surnames are subtly different anyway.<\/p>

It was a surprise to discover that she comes from a non-sporty family and none of them, including herself, had any particular interest in cycling. Until the age of 25, she played volleyball. Given her height, it's not a surprising choice of sport.<\/p>

Ellen was introduced to cycling by her husband Tom. He's always been a keen leisure cyclist. She met him when she was 21 and they increasingly rode together for pleasure. As her fitness improved she entered competitions including triathlons. But it was bike riding that she enjoyed and excelled at.<\/p>

It wasn't until she was 28 that she started riding cyclocross<\/p><\/blockquote>

It wasn't until she was 28 that she started riding cyclocross. Most of her rivals had been racing and learning cyclocross skills from an early age. Ellen's technical skills are self-taught. It's a testament to her hard work and dedication that she has been one of the finest elite female riders.<\/p>

Mr everything<\/h3>

She describes Tom as her \"everything\". They clearly have a close emotional and sporting relationship that has created a strong bond between them. Not only does he provide moral support but he is also her mechanic, her trainer and much, much more.<\/p>

\"\"Ellen and her Mr Everything, husband Tom <\/strong>Image: Ellen van Loy<\/em><\/p>

I want to know if they still go riding together. \"We can ride together until the pace goes up. Then I say bye, see you later.\" I imagine Tom happily pedalling along, enjoying the fragrance of the countryside and the cool breeze on his face, as Ellen sprints and powers up the road ahead.<\/p>

Working and racing<\/h3>

Ellen is hugely popular in Belgium. Not only for her incredibly successful career. But also because she has continued to work as a carer for people with Downs Syndrome, Dementia and Autism. The Flemish admire hardworking cyclists.<\/p>

Ellen is hugely popular in Belgium<\/p><\/blockquote>

It's only been in the last four years that she has worked part-time, reducing her hours to twenty per week. Prior to that, whilst competing and winning at the highest level she worked full-time. She is dedicated to cycling and the adults that she cares for.<\/p>

\"amaksduv64whlgj61rpjiixziyg6ttzteq6yak0x9onxd6in.jpg\"<\/u><\/a>Work includes staying overnight at a residential unit from 8 pm to 9 am. In theory, she can sleep from 11:30 pm to 6 am but if one of her charges requires help in the night then she has to get up.<\/p>

Anyone who has ever been woken from a deep sleep at night knows the debilitating effect it has on their performance the next day. This is just something Ellen accepts and copes with as best she can.<\/p>

Cyclocross salaries<\/h3>

Why didn't Ellen give up work and race full-time? \"I was 28 when I started racing and I didn't reach my best until I was 34 or 35. No one wanted to offer me a good, well-paid contract.\" In addition, having a non-cycling job has given her financial security and peace of mind. Becoming a full-time rider was never an option.<\/p>

It is well known that the salaries paid to female cyclists, whilst having improved, lag far behind their male counterparts. Ellen is bluntly dismissive of the argument that women should be paid less because they race for a shorter time.<\/p>

\u201cIt\u2019s bullshit!\u201d<\/p><\/blockquote>

Once again she displays her excellent command of vernacular English \"It's bullshit!\" She exclaims.<\/p>

\"\"Ellen has strong views about the disparity between men's and women's rewards <\/strong>Image: Ellen van Loy<\/em><\/p>

She expresses her gratitude to the UCI and others for their continued efforts to introduce financial equality across the sport.<\/p>

Does working offer any benefits in respect of her chosen sport? Ellen explains that it helps her to maintain a perspective about her \"hobby\" as she refers to cyclocross.<\/p>

Her first race of the year at the Rapencross (the \"Turnip Cross\") ended within moments of the start. Once the initial disappointment had subsided, her thoughts quickly turned to preparing for work.<\/p>

Enjoying cycling<\/h3>

Like all cyclists that combine their hobby with their work, Ellen has to fit in her training when she can. This often means riding at first light, when the mist lingers in the air and winter's chill hangs heavy over the countryside. Hard work, perseverance and dogged determination are often the only companions during her training sessions.<\/p>

Perhaps it's because she started her career late that Ellen still has a huge passion for the sport and cycling. She repeats one word many times during our conversation: \"Enjoy\".<\/p>

\"\"Ellen is looking forward to the season with her new team <\/strong>Image: Vondelmolen - De Ceuster Cycling Team<\/em><\/p>

She still gets a buzz out of riding, training and racing. The hardest part of any exercise is getting off the sofa and leaving the house. But this is not something she struggles with. She looks forward to training and enjoys the thrill of speeding down lanes, twisting through the woods and sprinting to the top of a hill.<\/p>

Cyclocross training<\/h3>

Each week Ellen undertakes a steady ride of at least three hours. Her week also includes an off-road skills session interspersed with intervals and motor-paced riding. She also runs twice a week. Ellen admits that she probably races too much, racing more than her rivals. She just can't help herself. She just loves it too much.<\/p>

Last season<\/h3>

Editor\u2019s note: This article was written in 2021, prior to Ellen\u2019s announcement that 2023 would be her last season of top-flight cyclocross.<\/em><\/p>

Like Mark Twain's demise, rumours of Ellen's retirement have been greatly exaggerated. I had read in a number of publications that this would be her last season. Ellen confirms that she has read this too but has no idea where the journalists got the story from. \"I never said this.\"<\/p>

She's still enjoying herself and the results keep coming<\/p><\/blockquote>

Fans of Ellen will be pleased to hear that she has no plans as to when she will retire. She will only stop when she's no longer enjoying herself or her results no longer satisfy her. She followed up her 15th place at Beringen, on a course that does not suit her, with a win the next day at Koningshooikt. She's still enjoying herself and the results keep coming.<\/p>

Vondelmolen - De Ceuster<\/h3>

After riding for Telenet- Fidea, now Baloise Trek Lions, for the last five years, Ellen has signed for the Vondelmolen - De Ceuster team. I love their new cerise kit and their motto \"Veldrijden is meer dan ploeteren in de modder\". Cyclocross is more than plodding in the mud. I totally agree. It also involves washing it off too.<\/p>

\"Cyclocross is more than plodding in the mud\"<\/p><\/blockquote>

They are a young female team backed by Vondelmolen which produces traditional Flemish Peperkoek (gingerbread) and De Ceuster who sell and rent industrial cranes. I've often had Peperkoek for breakfast in Flanders, but Ellen informs me that Vondelmolen is popular amongst cyclists. It's tasty and nutritious too.<\/p>

Vondelmolen gingerbread is popular with cyclists<\/strong>\"\"Image credit: Vondelmolen<\/a><\/p>

Ellen will act as a mentor to her young teammates, most of whom are young enough to be her daughter. She hopes to impart her experience, such as how to maximise the effectiveness of a course recce, and help the riders avoid mistakes she might have made in the past.<\/p>

\"VisualREAD MORE<\/strong>: We say <\/em>Tot Ziens and pay tribute<\/em><\/strong><\/a> to Ellen's career and find out more about her future plans.<\/em><\/p>

\"VisualFor example, young riders can feel there is a lot of pressure to stick rigidly to their training plan, no matter how tired they might be. Ellen will encourage them to recognise when they need to rest, despite what the trainer's spreadsheet might say.<\/p>

The secret of her success<\/h3>

By the end of the interview, I think I understand the secret of Ellen's success. There is no secret. It's a combination of discipline, commitment, practice, tough training, detailed planning, a love of cycling and the support of her husband.<\/p>

Ellen van Loy\u2019s Brief Palmares<\/h3>