In January, we kicked-off a season-long series focused on unknown things about our riders. Very likely, everybody is aware how the Etixx – Quick-Step riders came into the sport or what are their biggest results to date, but few or none know what movies and music they enjoy, or where they like to spend their holidays. Here's your chance to find out all these.
Favourite movies: There's a lot of movies that I like, but one which really springs to mind and I always enjoy is "Gladiator". In the past, before the Track World Championships, I always used to watch it, because it somehow motivated me and got me in the mood for the competition. "Gladiator" is what you call a complete movie – the story, the scenery, the soundtrack, everything is perfect – a modern and breathtaking epic which can't be missed.
Favourite books: I can't say there really is a title at the top of my list. Usually, during training camps or stage races, I like to spend my evening reading cycling autobiographies, to find out more about former or current riders and what's their take on the sport.
Favourite video games: Normally I'm not into video games, it's something I never did it before, but during the Denia training camp in December I downloaded a farming game on my phone for my two boys at home, called Hay Day, and I began playing it. Then, after a couple of days, someone told me that I should try SimCity and I became really addicted to that.
Favourite holiday destination: South Africa is a country I love. I've been there a couple of times, and every single time I felt great. Cape Town is a great city, and you don't have time to get bored of it. From the Blaauwberg Beach to the Kirstenbosch National Botanical Gardens, or from the superb central restaurants to the hiking trails, there's a little bit of everything for those visiting the city. Besides South Africa, I like a lot also Italy.
Other sports I follow: At the moment, as almost everyone in Ghent, I'm keeping an eye on our football team, the K.A.A. Gent. The team's having a great run: after winning the national title in 2015, they are now the first Belgian side to progress to the UEFA Champions League knock-out stage and we're all confident they can defeat Wolfsburg and advance to the quarter-finals.
Photo credit: ©Tim De Waele
