According to a lot of cultures, eight is a lucky number. It symbolizes growth and that seems to be the case for the BeSport Ladies Cycling Team – an eight-woman group of cyclists. What is interesting of note is that this is the first time the team is coming together. With the women’s league already in full swing since its foundation last summer, the BeSport ladies are doubling up their efforts in order to make the most out of the first season. OutdoorUAE caught up with some of the ladies while they were practicing near Skydive Dubai and it was the perfect opportunity to check if the lucky number eight is working for them.
Halfway through the season, what are some aspects that you are working on?
Helle Bachofen von Echt, Team Leader: Every single cyclist in the team has their own strength and weakness. Right now we’re be focusing on getting to know each other’s strength and weaknesses and how we work together as a team — it’s all about actually getting a team to work together.
Bianca Bea: We definitely have to train together more often as we haven’t trained that much as a team.
What riding conditions would be a dream come true for each of you?
Sarah Butler: Definitely a downhill tailwind, flying away[laughing] like a breakaway situation!
Roisin Thomas: Perfect conditions for me would be a super fast, flat 40k with lots of attacks to make it more exciting.
Lisa Hancox:Nice temperature and little wind!
HBvE: If we could have races races every single weekend, we have the opportunity to test different tactics. Another thing that would be a dream come true for me is one big UAE team raced to UCI level that races locally and internationally.
BB: I love climbing mountains so anything related to that because I’m more of a long distance climber
How has cycling improved you as a woman?
HBvE: Competitive cycling is continuously making me stronger at life – stronger in mind, body. It has changed me as a person and has given me drive and dedication and also impacted the way I structure things in my life.
RT: Routine, discipline, eating better, optimism! I think if I didn’t cycle for three days I would be sad [soft chuckle] and being able to know that I am able to compete with men in a peloton? It’s a very empowering feeling.
BB: Most of what have been said resonates with me but also for me, it helps me be more organized with my time because I am a teacher by trade. Also cycling has given me time to reflect on my life, my sport and in my day job.
SB: It’s another challenge for me and my life. I now have set goals for every race and I feel accomplished whenever I achieve them at the end of the day. I’m also learning a lot from Helle and Roisin’s experience so I could grow as a rider for the next season.
LH: Given a sport with low impact to build strength and competition, the sport transfers a perspective and skills into many other aspects of my life and work.
How does your team contribute to the spread of female cycling in the region?
RT: I think what separates BeSport from all the other teams in the league is their commitment to the training, and their support. Seeing the BeSport van at 5:30 in the morning at a race sets my mind at ease.
LH: It enables individuals to join at various levels to gain experience in cycling – we help each other and learn from each other to develop in the sport.
Lastly, what is the most important lesson you have learned from each other?
HBvE: As a team leader I have learned that every individual is different and it’s really important that we know, understand and we accept each person is there for a different reason and make sure we cater for everybody’s motivational drive to make the team work well.
RT: Two days in, I’ve learned about team tactics, talk about what we’re going to do in the race and don’t show up and have no idea what you’re doing. Communication and support.
BB: I think for me I’ve learned to get out of my comfort level. I realized that I can be competitive and that I can push myself to a higher level and that’s proved to be rewarding.
SB: I agree with Bianca, pushing out of the comfort zone. I wasn’t very comfortable before but the team was very encouraging and kept me going and it was that constant challenge and then telling myself just to get on with it. I’m glad that I kept going because it’s definitely adding benefits to me.
LH: Commitment and working as a team
Well into the second half of the season, the BeSport Ladies are leading both the team and individual points table. Helle is thrilled with this result and indicates that this is due to having committed team members. Other than this she thanks BeSport for their unwavering support right from the beginning of the league until this very moment.
Other members of the team include Jane Ostman, Najla Al-Jeraiwi and Jelena Vasiljevic.
Interview by: Keith Perena
Photos By: Keith Perena and Usman Oluwaseyi
