January 27, 2008 – Pedal caught up with Canadian cyclocross racers who headed across the Atlantic in order to prepare for the World Championships, which took place this weekend in Treviso, Italy. Osmond Bakker, of Stittsville, Ontario, races for Stevens Cross/The Cyclery, based in Ottawa. He talked to Pedal about his experiences and expectations leading up to Worlds in Part 6 of this series of interviews.

Bakker flew to Belgium on January 5, allowing himself time acclimatize and get some Euro racing under his belt before diving headfirst into the Cyclocross World Championships. Bakker, who finished sixth at the Canadian National Championships last October, raced today in the Elite Men’s competition. The 36-year-old has an extensive background on the Canadian racing scene. He has a tonne of experience with racing at the elite level on the road, XC MTB and “˜cross and won the Junior National Cyclocross Championships in 1990. “It is fitting that 17 years later I am representing Canada at the World Championships. With the knowledge I have gained over the years, I plan on giving that back to two Juniors I am training – Karl Hoppner and Connor O Brien,” said Bakker.

Are you excited about Worlds? What are you shooting for?
Osmond Bakker: I am really excited about representing Canada at the Worlds. This objective was laid out over a year ago after I had some minor success last season doing cyclocross. I was not really into racing “˜cross, but I joined The Cyclery and asked Vince [Caceras, Owner of The Cyclery Bike Shop] what he expected of me. He told me his real passion was cyclocross and, as such, I wanted to fulfill my role on the team by putting together a program where I would perform well.

From this success, I then formulated a plan to qualify for the World Championships. This formula included saving personal money to cover my expenses while I was away, extensive negotiating with my wife to take on the extra responsibilities, acquiring a cash sponsor (Morley Hoppner) to cover my expenses to Europe, rearranging my work schedule, working with The Cyclery and Stevens Bikes for equipment and, of course, I needed to get the results to earn a spot on the worlds team. As for the race itself, I would be happy moving up around 10 to 20 spots.

What do you think of the course?
OB: The course is the driest of all the courses I have done in Europe. It has been sunny all week in Treviso. It starts off with a fine granular gravel climb of about 9%, then dives into the grass with some sweeping corners. It then heads up a long gradual grass climb (5%) around a building to grass then some back and forth sweeping corners on a slight hill to a long straight grass descent, sharp left over some fine gravel, sweeping right-hander to a wall (26%). If it is dry, it should be barely rideable. On top of this climb, you head over grass, plunge down onto pavement, sweeping corners, then to the pits. After the pits you drop down a grass hill, sharp left and up to an off-camber section, drop down, more sweeping corners to a stair climb, then off-camber to a grass drop, U-turn up the hill slightly around a tree, then on the grass again until you pop out on pavement. Here you pick up big speed to a paved climb. After the climb, you pass the pits on the opposite side, then drop down a high speed gravel descent to a tricky right-hand turn, up a grass climb off-camber section, then drop down immediately on the pavement and you are back at the finish.

The sweeping corners are greasy at the moment, but will probably dry up by the Worlds. This is an extremely fast course for cyclocross. If we get rain, it will change the flow dramatically. A lot of the rideable hills will become runs and the sweeping corners will be more slick. I like the course as it will allow me to keep a sustainable flow going as opposed to slogging out every pedal stroke, as I have been doing since I came to Europe.

We’ve spoken to a number of Canadian riders, and they’ve all agreed that ‘cross racing in Europe is very different from racing in North America. Do you think that in order to race at a world level, you need to be racing in Europe?
OB: If your focus is to race cross at the world level, then yes I would highly recommend that you would need to race in Europe in order to succeed – specifically Belgium. They are the best, and if you want to be at that level, you race with the best.

One year does not make the difference. You need to come over year after year and put in your time before you will adapt and learn from the best. The cross racing in Belgium is all about business. They supply you with all the means to realize your potential. Clubs will help with equipment and support staff, the promoters will supply you with start money to get to their race. You are paid according to your ability. If you are at the back of the pack with no big fan base, then you get gas money to the event and no registration fee. If you are a racer with proven results and a fan base, you get significantly more. It is all about what your true worth is. The better you get, the bigger your financial rewards.

Could you describe the feeling of being at a big European race?
OB: The racing in Belgium is the best from an atmosphere standpoint. You want to get to the race at around noon, ready to ride, as this is when you test out the course. From there you head to the “Permanence” to sign in and get your numbers. This is usually in a local bar filled with smoke and drinking fans. That way they can see the racers before the event. About 30 minutes before the Elite race, the fans come in droves. They arrive by car, bus, train and pull out there rubber boots. This includes the drunken fans and the well-dressed women. They pay about 14 Euros [$20 CAD] to watch.

At the start line, you are called up according to your UCI ranking and the race goes off on time – not a minute later. Racing the race is great. The fans will cheer you on, no matter your position, as long as you are suffering. They understand how hard the racing is and will encourage you if you make the effort to give 100%. If you are taking it easy or mentally not in it, they are ruthless and will heckle and boo you for not being a hard man. It is true natural selection where only the strongest will survive. After the race, the top will go immediately to press and the rest of us head to the showers to wash up. Then you head to Permanence to receive your start money and prize money. An official handshake and a thank you send you off until the next race.

What has been the best part of your trip?
OB: The best part of my trip has been the learning experience. I love the business approach to racing over here. Egos need not apply or you will probably be disappointed. I also love the culture of doing business with the equipment producers. Shimano “˜cross rings, which are super elusive, are acquired by having your pro team put in an order to Shimano Europe now, to receive your rings in August. No order, no rings, and if you are not a pro, forget it. Dugast tires are similar. You pay cash, it is this price. If you are pro, you improve your chances of receiving your order. I used flattery, cash and my elite status to receive my order in one week. Thankfully the flattery worked on Tamara Williams because she is the boss. It is all about the relationships you build up over here from the fans to the suppliers.

The fans want to cheer for someone new and if you are personable and willing to suffer, they will gravitate to you. At Hoogerhiede [Netherlands, World Cup on January 20] I had at least two pockets of Euro fans cheering for me on top of the North American pockets. I have only been here 2.5 weeks, but it goes to show, they take notice.

What’s your favourite European treat?
OB: I have been good coming over here, and only indulged slightly. I am a believer in that you should try the local cuisine when in a new country, so in Belgium I tried some Trappist beer and pastries. In France I had some foie gras, in the Netherlands I had some croquets, and in Italy I went to a wine bar for a wonderful Chianti.

What do you do when you’re not riding your bike?
OB: I am a Massage Therapist with a clinic in Kanata, Ontario. I am so grateful for all the patients that utilize my services and for their support in my quest for athletic performance. I am married to Tammy Mckenna and have a four-year-old daughter, named Lauryn. Without their support I would not be able to achieve what I have accomplished.

I obviously want to thank my family (parents, brothers, sister and wife), The Cyclery, Stevens Bikes, Morely Hoppner and all my patients for their immense support.

Good luck!
OB: Thank You.