{"id":21791,"title":"Silke Bastiaensen","description":"If you\u2019re a cycling fan you\u2019ll have heard of Belgian road and cyclocross champions Wout van Aert, Sanne Cant, Tim Merlier and maybe Kim de Baat. But the chances are that you\u2019ve not heard of Silke Bastiaensen which is a shame as she is a multiple national champion on the road and at cyclocross.\n\n\n\n\n\n\n\nSilke rides in the G-Sports category for riders with disabilities. Her story is one of determination to overcome her disability and become the best athlete she can be. It\u2019s also a story of her friendship with cyclocross superstar Ellen van Loy who performs the role of Godmother to the G-Sports riders.","content":"

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

The G-Sports rider whose motto is \u201cnever give up\u201d<\/p>

This article is also available in Dutch<\/a>.<\/p>

\"e48qpaqid7cppey7vy3tw3vyopdxh1x91dz7qgjuujdh9ekc.jpg\"Silke and Ellen van Loy <\/em><\/strong>Image: Anja Sterckx<\/em><\/p>

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If you\u2019re a cycling fan you\u2019ll have heard of Belgian road and cyclocross champions Wout van Aert, Sanne Cant, Tim Merlier and maybe Kim de Baat. But the chances are that you\u2019ve not heard of Silke Bastiaensen which is a shame as she\u2018s a multiple national champion on the road and at cyclocross.<\/p>

Godmother<\/h3>

Silke rides in the G-Sports category for riders with disabilities. Her story is one of determination to overcome her disability and become the best athlete she can be. It\u2019s also a story of her friendship with cyclocross superstar Ellen van Loy who performs the role of Godmother to the G-Sports riders.<\/p>

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I\u2019m very grateful to Ellen for her help in arranging this interview and acting as translator. We\u2019re big fans of Ellen here at Rijden. She represents everything that\u2019s positive about sports. A champion rider at the top level despite working full-time and is a big supporter of grassroots racing. No wonder she\u2019s so popular in Belgium.<\/p>

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Role model<\/h3>

Ellen says that Silke has acted as a role model and encouraged others to take up the sport.<\/p>

Never give up<\/p><\/blockquote>

Through her perseverance and strong character, she has gone from being a complete novice to a champion athlete. Her motto is \u201cnever give up\u201d.<\/p>

\"nthr0bnue9q9ovbhj0ii7du2abdtink2phaosnmufchiopnr.jpg\"Silke is a multiple Belgian champion <\/em><\/strong>Image: Anja Sterckx<\/em><\/p>

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Silke will be representing Belgium at the 2023 World Games in Berlin.<\/p>

Elite races<\/h3>

The G-Sports riders often race at the top cyclocross events in Belgium. Occasionally, the organisers modify the courses slightly for them, but not always. Ellen described how, at some events, sections of courses she found \u201cquite scary\u201d were still tackled by the riders with disabilities.<\/p>

The G-Sports races are usually fitted in between the junior men's and elite women\u2019s races. Belgian TV broadcasts highlights of the junior and under-23 races which precede the G-Sports events but the G-Sports riders don\u2019t get any TV time. TV broadcasts had a dramatic impact on women\u2019s cyclocross. I can\u2019t help but wonder what a few minutes on TV might do for G-Sports.<\/p>

Q&A with Silke<\/h3>

But I\u2019ll let Silke tell her own story.<\/p>

When and why did you start cycling?<\/strong><\/p>

I was a gymnast until I was twelve, and then I looked for another sport to take part in. I didn\u2019t like cycling so I didn\u2019t consider it to be an option. However, from an early age, my parents had always taken me to watch cyclocross and road races. They were part of the supporters\u2019 club for Bart Wellens who lived in Vorselaar.<\/p>

(Bart was one of the main rivals to cyclocross legend Sven Nys. The rivalry between the riders was intense and polarised the sport in Flanders. Bart was Cyclocross World Champion in 2003 and 2004).<\/p>

There were very few races for people with disabilities<\/p><\/blockquote>

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My brother took up cyclocross and watching a race at Vorselaar convinced me to try. At this time the G-Sports category was virtually unknown and there were very few races for people with disabilities. We didn\u2019t read about G-Sports until 2013.<\/p>

What was your first race?<\/strong><\/p>

My first race was in Arendonk, which was organised by Liesbeth De Vocht. (Ed: Liesbeth is a former Belgian National Champion, Olympian and professional who retired in 2014.)<\/p>

It was an extremely stressful and hot day. But I was determined to give it a go. There were five girls and we started with the boys. I was accompanied by another rider who helped me during the race.<\/p>

\"dsgrjipfznvziozk9yxia5nwtaqbqcszp9fz36ylnhljrunn.jpg\"Silke loves cyclocross <\/em><\/strong>Image: Anja Sterckx<\/em><\/p>

By the end, I was exhausted and thought I\u2019d never compete again. Then I heard that I was third and from then on I was hooked.<\/p>

What\u2019s your favourite cycling discipline?<\/strong><\/p>

I\u2019m better at road racing but I love the atmosphere of cyclocross. The G-Sport cyclocross race is always between the junior and elite women\u2019s races.\u00a0 This means there are lots of spectators to encourage us. On the road, it\u2019s very different as there are few people watching.\u00a0 I prefer riding races with spectators and I love the mud. There are now many cyclocross races for G-Sports riders.<\/p>

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How did you win the Belgian National Championships in road and cyclocross?<\/strong><\/p>

I\u2019m also the cyclocross champion of Flanders. It was fantastic to win last year as it was the first time it was organised for G-Sports riders. As I\u2019m also the Belgian champion I don\u2019t get to wear the Flanders jersey which is a shame.<\/p>

It was a beautiful feeling to put on the Belgian tricolour jersey<\/p><\/blockquote>

Last year was the third year of the Belgian cyclocross championships for G-Sports riders. It was held in Gullegem (near Kortrijk in Flanders) and was extremely muddy. I struggled to stay on my bike but I fought with all my determination for victory. It was a beautiful feeling to put on the Belgian tricolour jersey. It was the first time I\u2019d ridden for my new team so it was a very special occasion.<\/p>

I\u2019d trained for months for the road race championships. Leading up to the event I was extremely stressed but on the day of the race, I felt completely relaxed. I\u2019d learnt a lot from Ellen. She\u2019d given me lots of tips and tricks such as how to deal with hot conditions. The day was very warm at over 35 Centigrade.<\/p>

\"podo0nvqkxv8zaguuddxw5neeyhdwq2utb4vhh5as9zusa6z.jpg\"On the starting grid <\/em><\/strong>Image: Anja Sterckx<\/em><\/p>

The race was a battle all the way to the finish and when I crossed the line first it felt like such a special victory. I\u2019m so grateful to my parents, my brother, Ellen, my trainer and my teammates.<\/p>

How long have you been friends with Ellen and how did you meet her?<\/strong><\/p>

I\u2019ve been friends with Ellen for about seven years. We first met at the cyclocross race at Zlivermeer near Mol. On the Wednesday before the race, I was training on the course with some other riders. We met Ellen who was also riding and started chatting. We found that we were both wearing the same leggings which we thought was very funny.<\/p>

\"amaksduv64whlgj61rpjiixziyg6ttzteq6yak0x9onxd6in.jpg\"<\/u><\/a>I\u2019d only just started riding so I didn\u2019t have many clothes. Ellen told me to come over to her camper later. She gave me lots of clothes and I rode my very first cyclocross race in the same clothes as Ellen. It was magical for me to ride in the same team strip as Ellen.<\/p>

Ellen has been like the Godmother to the G-Sports riders<\/p><\/blockquote>

She also took the time to support me and the others in our race. From that day, Ellen has been like the Godmother to the G-Sports riders.<\/p>

\"gjjzfy6lp72yiyznl6vvk5qskva5wdjgi6nxzhp011t4qlpw.jpg\"Riding at the Herentals criterium <\/em><\/strong>Image: Anja Sterckx<\/em><\/p>

Now I go to races and support Ellen and if we both ride at the same event we meet up afterwards.<\/p>

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Does G-Sports get the recognition it deserves?<\/strong><\/p>

This could be a lot better.\u00a0 Sports for people with disabilities definitely need more attention.\u00a0 We put in the same effort as everyone else in our training and races. I do my best to promote our sport by giving as many interviews as I can. My mum puts lots of pictures on social media to promote us.In<\/a> 2018 I was selected to ride in the Special Olympics in Stirling, Scotland.\u00a0 I was fortunate that my fans and friends helped me to make my dream come true.\u00a0 We made and sold waffles to fund the trip.\u00a0 It was a unique and completely new experience for me.\u00a0<\/p>

Ellen lent me a bike box to make sure it arrived safely.\u00a0 I was still worried about it.\u00a0 As soon as we got there, when it was at night, I checked it and tested it in the hotel.<\/p>

\"iwg2qzd68vm7wkwmowag1s6qjtszm1ro7cut9ocsdwup8a5o.jpg\"Meeting fans at the Herentals criterium <\/em><\/strong>Image: Anja Sterckx<\/em><\/p>

It was a memorable trip and I\u2019ll always treasure the experience even though it was very tiring. Our team made a bet. We agreed that if our team won a gold medal then all the dads would have to wear tartan kilts.<\/p>

The dads had to honour the bet and wear kilts<\/p><\/blockquote>

Our team rode in many events and I won a gold and a silver medal. So of course the dads had to honour the bet and wear kilts.<\/p>

Unfortunately, the press didn\u2019t give the event much attention. But when I went home to Tielen they celebrated my achievements and I signed a golden book.<\/p>

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Who inspired you the most to achieve all your successes?<\/strong><\/p>

The coaches, my parents and Ellen.<\/p>

Do you have a fan club?<\/strong><\/p>

No, but I\u2019d be happy if someone created one. I have lots of friends who support and follow me. I like talking to and meeting people so we become friends and then they support me too. The supporters are really important. Their support gives me motivation and it feels fantastic when I hear them yelling for me in races.<\/p>

Ellen\u2019s fans have adopted me<\/p><\/blockquote>

Because of her public support, Ellen\u2019s fans have adopted me and they cheer for me as well. It helps so much when I am suffering in a race and I\u2019m very thankful to everybody that encourages me.<\/p>

Who helps you during the races?<\/strong><\/p>

Dad helps me to prepare my bikes.\u00a0 Mum takes care of the clothes.\u00a0 Together we get everything ready and organised because we always have to leave home early in the mornings.<\/p>

On race days, dad organises registration and sorts out the bikes with the help of my brother. Mum makes up the bottles and helps me to get ready.\u00a0 She\u2019s my soigneur and my social media manager.<\/p>

\"xw0qjri0yq2byxrubjlow2zskvtf0wzj4sa2nhercdcbinkw.jpg\"Another victory for Silke <\/em><\/strong>Image: Anja Sterckx<\/em><\/p>

Before the race, I eat, get ready and warm on rollers. I usually ask Ellen and other riders what they think of the course. Then the race starts! There are some really good riders that I compete against. It makes the competition tough but fun and interesting.<\/p>

After the race, I cool down on rollers again, wash and have something to eat. If Ellen is racing then we go and support her.<\/p>

After the race, my dad or brother cleans my bikes and when we get home they make my bike ready for the next race.<\/p>

Which team do you ride for?<\/strong><\/p>

I\u2019m racing for NetConnect Cycling Team.\u00a0 I\u2019m really happy with this team.\u00a0 We help each other in good and bad times.\u00a0 It\u2019s a friendly group of riders.<\/p>

I help with the training of the younger riders and pass on tips to them. I really enjoy these sessions with the younger riders.<\/p>

(Ed: For some inspirational pictures of what sport is really about, check out the NetConnect Cycling Team\u2019s Facebook page<\/a>)<\/p>

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What are your personal ambitions,\u00a0 in cycling and non-cycling?<\/strong><\/p>

I would like to ride in the (Special Olympics) World Games and other championships.\u00a0 I want to be an example to others and show that people with disabilities can be good at sports too and achieve big goals.<\/p>

Outside of cycling I just want to stay the same person.<\/p>

What three words explain why you like racing?<\/strong><\/p>