Train Like A Belgian | movie | 2021 | Official Trailer - video Dailymotion

Is it nature or nurture that creates tough cyclists? GCN+ sent Bernie Eisel to Flanders, a place that has produced more  | dG1fZlJKYWhtMVN5Z28

Transcript

00:00 Belgium, a cycling mecca for pros that thrive in a couple of classics.

00:05 We had a good team and we had people that really wanted to die for each other.

00:09 Producing more pros per capita than any other nation.

00:13 It's in our DNA.

00:14 We had a fighting spirit.

00:16 It's do or die.

00:18 They are the Flandrians.

00:20 This is how I always remember Flanders.

00:26 Rough, tough and all four seasons in one ride.

00:31 As a Belgian you're used to this weather.

00:34 You hop on the bike straight away, stay as long as possible, you harden out.

00:38 Riding in the snow, riding without gloves, riding to the races in the rain.

00:42 Big trousers on, big vest and just do whatever you needed to do.

00:46 That sort of toughness breeds being able to survive in that classic environment.

00:53 The real principles of training are today just the same as they were 30 years ago.

00:59 The traditional Flandrian philosophy of training hard.

01:03 Is somebody getting trained here or tortured?

01:05 End long.

01:06 That's what makes the difference between the Belgians and the others.

01:10 But what is the region doing to nurture future talent?

01:14 I prefer to bring all young riders to cyclocross first.

01:18 The technique they learn, they can use it also in a peloton.

01:21 If you combine things you're going to be a better athlete.

01:25 That's the bottom line.

01:26 Who do you think is the most famous Flandrian?

01:30 There is only one Flandrian and that's Briekschotten.

01:33 [Music]

01:37 [Music]

01:40 (dramatic music)

01:42 [BLANK_AUDIO]