{"id":17056,"title":"Chasing the Dream","description":"Julien Van den Brande reveals the reality of pursuing the dream of a career as a professional cyclist in Belgium and looks forward to future ambitions.","content":"

Published in<\/strong>: COBBLES & CLASSICS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

Julien Van den Brande reveals the reality of pursuing the dream of a career as a professional cyclist in Belgium and looks forward to his future as an ex-professional.<\/p>

\"Former Winning the GP Oetingen<\/em> Image: Julien Van den Brande<\/em><\/p>

Julien Van den Brande has spent the last ten years pursuing his dream of becoming a professional cyclist. Now he's adjusting to life as he accepts that his racing career will be just for fun. He reflects on a decade of sacrifice and looks forward to the future.<\/p>

Big leap from junior to senior cyclist<\/h3>

Julien Van den Brande was one of Belgium's most promising riders as a junior. Sixth in the National Championships and ninth in the junior Ronde van Vlaanderen was topped by selection for the World Championships in Firenze, Italy.<\/p>

\"everyone wants to be a star cyclist in Belgium\"<\/strong><\/p>

There are few more competitive cycling scenes than men's junior racing in Belgium. It's no wonder they churn out so many professionals. Seemingly everyone wants to be a star cyclist in Belgium.<\/p>

Unfortunately, Julien was unable to secure a place on an under-23 team when he moved into the senior ranks in 2014. Instead, he signed with UCI Continental Josan To Win Cycling Team. As a result, he jumped from riding races of just over 100 kilometres to up to 200 kilometres.<\/p>

\"Julien Riding for EFC L&R Vulsteke Image: Julien Van den Brande<\/em><\/p>

From riding against juniors on restricted gears, he suddenly faced hardened professionals used to churning the 53 x 11. It was a tough experience and a big leap to make for the nineteen-year-old.<\/p>

Resilience<\/h3>

Was it a mistake I wanted to know. Julien accepts that he struggled both physically and mentally but ultimately it had its benefits. It made him stronger and more resilient. He realised how hard he'd have to push himself to achieve his ambition. Until then, like most of his peers, he'd not understood the severity of the challenge he faced.<\/p>

\"Men's<\/u><\/a>Sports director Willy Teirlinck was sympathetic to his young charge and he passed on essential tactics. Willy had himself been a successful professional, winning five stages of the Tour de France in a career that lasted fifteen years.<\/p>

Going UCI Continental<\/h3>

The following year Teirlinck moved to fellow UCI Continental team Veranclassic taking Julien with him. Julien spent two years with the team where he enjoyed success in the kermesses but struggled in the longer UCI classified races. Perhaps his best result was fifth in the Belgian under-23 National Championship.<\/p>

\"Julien Julien (left) created his own team S-Bikes Doltcini Image: Julien Van den Brande<\/em><\/p>

For his final year as an under-23, Julien moved to club team EFC L&R Vulsteke. It's not a registered UCI team but has an impressive reputation acting as a feeder to, in particular, Pro Continental Sport Vlaanderen. Yves Lampaert, Christophe Noppe, Stijn Steels and Jens Wallays, amongst others, are all former riders who went on to join Pro Continental or World Tour teams.<\/p>

This gave him the motivation needed and he entered the new season brimming with confidence and desire. Unfortunately, he was sidelined by knee problems and endured a bad fracture of his elbow.<\/p>

Ditching the training rulebook<\/h3>

Fortunately, the team were impressed by his determination and remained convinced of his potential. Even though he would no longer be under-23 he was kept on. His invaluable experience enabled him to act as a team captain.<\/p>

\"visualREAD MORE<\/strong>: They don\u2019t make people like Dany Blondeel<\/strong><\/a> anymore. If you're not familiar with Irish cycling you may not have heard of him. But the Belgian native is responsible for Ireland's Belgian Project which provides a route for Irish hopefuls to cycle racing's heartland. Read his unbelievable story.<\/p>

\"Dany<\/u><\/a>Having had such a light racing season, Julien plunged into training in earnest. He decided to ditch the training rulebook and just train like a professional. Some weeks he trained for over forty hours. By the season's end, he reached his best-ever level. He rode over eighty races, winning 15 of them and placing in the top twenty in several UCI races including 9th in the Omloop Het Nieuwsblad for under-23 riders.<\/p>

Disappointment<\/h3>

Late in the year, Sport Vlaanderen informed Julien that they had a place for him on their team. Julien couldn't have been happier. Laboratory tests followed which went well. Then they dropped a bombshell. The team had changed its plans and withdrew the offer.<\/p>

\"Julien Julien is still riding high Image: Julien Van den Brande<\/em><\/p>

\"from elation to dejection\"<\/strong><\/p>

No reason was ever given but in the hotbed home of cycling that is Belgium, politics and personalities can make all the difference. The rug ripped away from under his feet, and Julien went from elation to dejection. He described his feelings at the time by way of an analogy. It was like offering a desperately hungry man a biscuit, then just as he reached out for it whipping it away.<\/p>

Graveyard shift<\/h3>

For the following season, 2019, he opted to rejoin the ranks of UCI Continental riders and signed for Tartelleto - Isorex. The UCI doesn't set a minimum wage for this third tier of cycling teams.<\/p>

The Belgian Cycling Federation does, however, and Julien signed for the minimum rate of 10,000 Euro for a part-time contract. Only contracted riders are protected by the Belgian state's minimum wage. Many riders are not offered contracts and ride unpaid.<\/p>

\"the graveyard of ambition\"<\/strong><\/p>

The UCI Continental level team could be described as the graveyard of ambition. Hopefuls sign on in the hope that it will be their passport to a place on a Pro Continental or World Tour team.<\/p>