Kyle Douglas - Living the Dream

CXO chased down Kyle Douglas in France and followed him around Belgium and over to the Netherlands. Since moving to 'cross, Kyle has won last year's Nationals, and centered his season around racing Worlds in Treviso.

'06/07 Espoir Canadian National Cyclo-cross Champion
2nd '07/08 Canadian National Cyclo-cross Championships
U23 Provincial Champion Cyclo-cross Champion
2nd year on National Cyclo-cross team for World Championships
7th at Centennial Park UCI, Day 2

CXO: So what have you been up to since we saw you last at Provincials?

KD: The month of December is an empty month for athletes who are Ontario based 'cross racers, so there is lots of simulating, it means lots of intervals to get the long burn - and that was my December. Took some chill time just around Christmas with family, then hopped on the plane on December 28th, landed at 9:30 on the 29th in the morning, flew all night, jumped into racing at the Super Prestige in Diegem. I was here for 24 hours and I started racing. Within the first 4 days, I had done 3 races.

The rest has just been training, racing on the weekends, then world championships in T-Minus-9 days.

CXO: How are you feeling your preparations have been?

KD: Things are going smooth, right now it's just a matter of keeping healthy, keeping the colds out of the system, eating good food and staying warm. I feel it's the best I've ever been prepared.

CXO: How did Nationals go this year?

KD: I did what I wanted to do and I went as hard as I could. I was pushing the limit of my tires, my bike and my body. I raced Mark all season, so I knew what he could do and he knew my strengths. I started pushing it harder and I slipped out on a corner. I looked and saw him go by and attack. The last 2 laps he just kept looking over his shoulder, I was just chasing him and I couldn't make it up. We're good friends, so I was super pumped that he won.

CXO: How did you start out racing 'cross?

KD: I was injured one summer racing mountain bikes and my past coach suggested I start cross to get some fitness back and I liked the similarity to mountain biking. It grew on me. I liked the intensity of it, 60 minutes going hard is a nice number. I like the pits and the running aspect, I like running.

CXO: Did you ever run in high school? Track or Cross country?

KD: I ran 'cross country in high school, but that's about it.

CXO: Did you participate in any other sports?

KD: I played lacrosse until I was 15 and then again for a year when I was 17 - I played rep, but there wasn't much higher I could go. I'm super competitive - I like competition, it fuels the fire.
"Live for something or die for nothing" - right out of Rambo.

CXO: What about mountain biking, when did you start there?

KD: Since 2000, I wanted a sport where what you get something out of what you put into it. I like the thought that the more you train, the more dedicated you are, the more gains you can have.

CXO: Describe life in Belgium.

KD: Cloudy. Lots of brown water, aka lousy coffee. No, it's been pretty relaxed, just biking, 100%. Everyone around you is so into what you're doing. Here cycling is transportation and entertainment while back home it's nothing. You see commercials for World Cups on TV. Cycling is it - pretty much all I do is ride my bike, eat and google. I'm a professional googler. Thankfully there was a Rambo and Rocky series on.

CXO: Have a hard time staying away from the chocolate?

KD: The chocolate hasn't been bad - while we've been talking I've just finished my fourth chocolate bar since I've been hear.

As a cyclist, I think everyone always wants to be over here. In North America cycling is accepted at bike races, but there isn't the knowledge outside. The guy that checked my passport here asked what I was doing here and I said racing cyclocross and he knew what it was. I bet there aren't many border guards in North America that would know that.

CXO: What about your team and sponsors?

KD: I race for 3Rox/Scott - it's a great program based in Ontario. Theres 9 people and there are 3 of us racing 'cross this year. Amanda Sin did a lot of racing this year and Ian Manning is coming out here to Worlds, so I'll have a teammate over here. The sponsors and supporters have been great. Scott has the bike - it's like riding a wild mustang with Shimano components, tried tested and true. My system works, thanks to eLoad and Tifosi glasses to keep the mud out of the eyes.

The main thing is my family - they provide emotional support, financial support - all around support. They're there for you when you don't have a problem - and when you do.

CXO: Where to from here? After worlds? After the season?

KD: Home a bit for a rest, then it's the Dougy & Derek show in Yuma, Arizona. Going to be down there with some teammates, so it should be good training. Doing NORBA's, Sea Otter, then heading home and mountain bike season starts up again. I get 3 weeks to chill before mountain bike.

CXO: What about plans outside of cycling?

KD: Always thinking about going to school - but I know it's always going to be there, while being a junior - being and espoir - it fades. Stay in school though - an education is needed. But a month in Belgium - couldn't do that if I was going to school and get the marks that you need, but the cycling experience in 1 month could add how many percent to my cycling career down the road. Plus it could change my career path, with the life experiences, learning languages, budgeting skills. Your mind changes so much - you shouldn't have to choose when you're 17. Now I'm happy, living the dream, and having fun doing it.