Cross specialist and world champion: Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado in a TOUR interview

TOUR Ceylin, you became world cyclo-cross champion in 2020 - why did you start in the elite category back then, even though you could probably have won more easily in the U23 class for the second time? Are you particularly self-confident or willing to take risks?

DEL CARMEN ALVARADO No, it has nothing to do with risk-taking or self-confidence. I just had the chance to make it. When we saw that my races (in the elite category during the 2019/20 season; editor's note) were going so well and I had one win after another, the thought came to me that I could also ride the World Championships in the elite category. Two weeks beforehand, I discussed it with the people closest to me, my team and the coaches - and then we decided.

How has being world champion changed your life?

Well, a lot has already changed. The media attention has increased, so many people are interested in you, you have a lot of commitments, more followers, more fans. That also required a lot of attention on social media. Before it was just the interest of the small cross-community, now the interest has become incredibly big.

As world champion, you have ridden virtually in camera during the pandemic. In cross of all places - where the spectators are usually so close and so numerous. Did that influence you?

I didn't miss it that much. Sure, the spectators at the side of the track might give you an extra boost. But overall, you're so focussed on the race that you hardly notice it. When spectators are usually shouting, you can't hear a lot of things, but now you can hear almost everything. For example, what other coaches are shouting to their racers - perhaps precise tactical instructions. Or you can hear the fatigue of the other racers as they push themselves to the limit. You know when you have to react.

What fascinates you about cyclocross?

Perhaps the risk you take here and there to win. Also the familiarity with the team, the crew, the other racers and all the spectators. It's this whole picture. No race is the same - every course is different. That's what makes it fun.

You ride your bike at the limit, you take risks. This risk of crashing - does that give you some kind of extra motivation?

It gives you an extra kick. You take bends at top speed. You always try to push yourself to the limit.

How did you get into this niche discipline?

At first, I only did it to get through the winter and keep in shape. I started with road racing. At the time, I didn't even realise that cyclocross was a discipline in its own right.

When did you have the feeling that you might be good enough to become world champion one day?

In my first year, I came third in my first national championships in the junior class - I wanted to at least give it a try and improve. And over the years I got to like it more and more, I got better and better. Then I decided to take cyclocross seriously.

How did you learn the technique?

That came over the years, through lots of practising and practising, even in the junior races. But I still learn a lot - especially from the men's races. The coaches and racers also give you tips.

Your father supposedly played a major role in your cycling career?

Yes, I started because of my dad. He used to be an amateur racer and got me into cycling. My parents are always there for me, even at my races. They really are a gift to me.

You grew up in Rotterdam - what were your early days on a bike in the big city like?

I didn't really live in the centre. But of course it was more difficult to do the sport than for someone living in the countryside. I used to go to a small club for children, where we always managed to ride on quiet roads.

You were born in the Dominican Republic and lived there for five years. What memories do you have of the Caribbean?

I was too young to remember. I only remember that we lived with the family near the beach.

What else is Caribbean about you?

My character! (laughs) I'm always laughing, in a good mood, always smiling - but I can also get really crazy sometimes. That's typical of Latin Americans.

What makes you angry?

(thinking) Losing a race because of technical problems. Or injustice. But nothing can really annoy me. You have to do something really bad (laughs).

Thanks to Mathieu van der Poel and Wout Van Aert, combining road cycling and cyclo-cross is very popular again. Is that also your plan?

At the moment, my focus is on the 2024 Olympic Games - on the mountain bike. But of course I would like to have a career like Mathieu or Wout Van Aert on the road. But I still have to try that out first, I need more experience. With the team I have now, I might be able to do that. I don't want to concentrate on just one or two disciplines, I want to try them all sooner or later.

What is the difference between mountain biking and cyclocross?

I find it very different. Mountain biking is much more technical with the rocks, roots, the very steep climbs - you use a completely different technique. Cyclocross is a tough sport, but it's easier than mountain biking - in the physical part, but also in the technical part. You don't have the big obstacles. I like the challenge that mountain biking gives me. I can really push myself to the limit, sometimes even beyond. And with cross I like the variety; but also that it's a family sport with crowds of people.

Wouldn't Paris-Roubaix be an interesting goal for you in the road races?

Of course I would love to ride there. It's a very special race. As I said before: I don't want to start and then end up in a 'distant second'. I think I'm too young and too light for this kind of race on cobblestones.

2020 was also dominated by the "Black lives matter" movement - how did you experience this discussion as a cyclist of colour?

Of course, in certain respects it affects me. But I've never had any problems myself, I've never experienced anyone being racist to me. I would also prefer to deal with the topic in a reserved manner. Of course I have an opinion on it, but I don't want to raise my voice to change anything or get involved. If I do, it tends to be on a small scale. I think the fact that I became world champion has already had a big impact.

You live with the Belgian professional cyclist Roy Jans from your Alpecin-Fenix team. Does everything at home revolve around cycling?

It's a lot about cycling, but not only. I'm happy about that too. We have a professional life in sport, but of course there's also a life outside with friends, going out, trips, travelling, having fun. It's important for him and me to do something different from time to time.

Which of you two is better at digesting defeats?

(laughs) Um... it's difficult to compare - the nature of the races in our disciplines is very different. On the road, the races are more of a game, it's more about tactics. He's quite good at losing. But of course it depends on what happened in the race.

You have extended your contract with the team up to and including 2024. That's a long time. Are you more of a planner than a spontaneous person?

It's good to have a secure future. But the contract is - with the team's agreement, of course - playable over these four years. I don't always have to do the same thing. You can change things from year to year.

What do you mean by playful? What have you agreed with team manager Christoph Roodhoft?

By that I mean that I can do all three disciplines that I like - a bit like Mathieu (van der Poel; editor's note) does now. Of course, I make my own decisions. But what we do is very similar. Christoph gives us racers enough freedom - he is very open to discussing things with the racers. That's good.

What do you want to have achieved by 2024?

I hope: more rainbow jerseys - it doesn't really matter in which discipline. As long as I'm happy with what I do. And I want my name to be known in sport, as a woman. I want to be someone that other people admire - not just because of titles and successes, but as a role model for young racers, for female racers, especially for female racers of colour.

Profile Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado

Nationality Dutch

Born 6 August 1998 in Cabrera (Dominican Republic)

Place of residence Hoeselt (Belgium)

In love with Roy Jans (professional cyclist with Alpecin-Fenix)

Teams Ciclismo Mundial/Alpecin-Fenix (since 2019)

Important successes:

• 2018 European Cross-Country Champion U23
• 2019 overall ranking Cross World Cup U23, World Championship third Mountain Bike U23; European Cross Champion U23
• 2020 Cross World Champion, European Cross Champion, one World Cup victory and overall runner-up in the Cross World Cup, overall DVV Trophy and Superprestige, overall Mountain Bike World Cup U23, World Championship bronze medallist Mountain Bike U23

If you want to know what Ceylin del Carmen Alvarado's favourite songs are between races, you can find here your Spotify list