Interview with Adam De Vos - Trek/Red Truck Racing

Adam in Cycling BC Team Kit

Nevermind the fact that Adam is only 18 years old, and nevermind that he actually loves to suffer (His words).  But when you look at the results of some of the most recent Cat 1-2 Elite races, there is Adam's name among some very big heavy hitters (figuratively speaking).   I recall the last time I saw a young kid make a big impression was in the early 1990's when a young Roland Green riding for Espoir Laval was taking home some big wins such as the Tour of L'Abitibi, a stage in the Tour de Beauce and the overall Canadian Tire Cycling Series.  We all know where Roland's career went afterwards.

I caught up with Adam De Vos who finished an excellent 2 weeks of racing in the U.S. and B.C.

JW - Adam, congratulations on a great start to your racing season with Trek/Red Truck.   2 weekends ago, you won the last Road Race stage of the Tour of Walla Walla and finished 2nd overall, beating out some big names like Rob Britton, and a host of strong guys from H/R Block, Russ Hay's/Accent Inns and Garneau Evolution.  This past weekend, you finished 4th overall in the Race the Ridge race with 3rd in the Road Race, and 5th in the Circuit Race.  How stoked are you on these great results?

AD - Very very stoked...Its great to have success early to build the confidence for the rest of the year and get excited about racing. The whole team has been riding great and its awesome to be racing with such good group of guys. Also helpful that there's guys like Tyler on the team that have so much experience I can learn from.

JW -  So far, your best results have been in stage races.  Do you see yourself as specializing in stage races or do you see yourself better suited to certain types of one day races, i.e. Road or Crit?  Your Time Trialing has been consistent as well, how about that?

AD - Tough to say at this point, I just try to give 'er in every race I'm in. Seems I've had some success rolling breaks which I like, it takes some pressure off and its fun when it works out. Crits are always a good time but I also like suffering through some of the long 160km+ road races. I have been doing a lot of work trying to improve my time trial this year but there is still a ways to go, excited for Sidney TT's to start so i can get some practice.

Adam (Left) Sprint for the win at the Kellogg Hollow Road Race  Stage of the Tour of Walla Walla

JW - Only 2 years ago, we saw you racing locally at the High School level and just getting started, so to speak.  In 2 years, you have significantly raised your game.  What do you attribute to the impressive improvements you have made over the last 2 years?

AD - Theres tons of things that have helped me get better. Great coaches(Peter and Jeff), racing VCL's and other local races, great support on projects with Cycling BC and the CCA. All the group rides in Victoria are awesome to get fast. Of course training hard was part of it but there is a lot of resources in BC and Victoria that helped me out. A background in swimming didn't hurt either.

JW -  What are your next goals now that the racing season is getting into full swing?   Are you excited about BC Provincials here in Victoria?

AD - There is a couple off weekends now (gives me time to glue up a new tubular) and then its back to Washington for some more stage races. Nationals is going to be the big goal this year so thats what the training is going to be focussed around. Definitely stoked for Provincials, especially since I missed last years race because of a broken collar bone. I haven't ridden the course yet but I hear its a bit of a doozy. That whole weekend is going to be killer, Bastion Square is one of my favourites and is a big race for the team as well. Plus the TT is pretty unique and was a blast last year.

Adam (Far Left) with the other Top five finishers of the Race the Ridge (Photo by Jeff Werner http://www.facebook.com/garneauevolution)

JW -  At the age of 18 years old, you are in a similar situation as Annie Ewart in that you are showing some great promise as a younger rider. In Annie's situation, she is beginning her first year as a "neo-pro" with Optum / Kelly Benefits.  Do you foresee opportunities to get into a development gig with a bigger team like Bissell, Spidertech, Exergy, etc...?

AD - Thats definitely a goal and hopefully I can make it up to that next level soon, I'm confident I'm going in the right direction. I also loved racing in Belgium and Denmark last year so who knows, I may get the chance to move across the pond which would be neat.

JW -  Who is your favourite pro cyclist?

AD - hmm, I would have to say Svein Tuft. He's really the only pro i've talked to extensively and he has been super generous to me. Plus his story is so unique and is just an all around awesome dude, also he can ride a bike pretty damn fast.

JW -  Favourite Food and why?

AD - Oatmeal is definitely what I crave these days. Its versatile, you can cook it on the stove, in the microwave, in a rice cooker or eat it raw. Then you can add anything you want to it, nuts, fruit, berries, yogurt, milk, seeds. So many ways to eat it you can never get bored, plus its delicious. It's a certified super-food. This mornings serving consisted of flax seed, banana, and greek yogurt.

JW -  Thanks Adam for taking the time to help us get to know you better. Good Luck to you for the rest of the 2012 season.

AD - Thanks Jon