2022 GOALS: Elke Vanhoof (BEL)

Jan 26, 2022

Written by Bart de Jong

Read 1273 times

Being a BMX veteran doesn't mean you do not have to prepare for the upcoming season. Elke Vanhoof has been around for many years and her 2022 training has already started. How can you better yourself? Is the training schedule on point? Has the carbon bike arrived yet? Will it make a difference? Do I need to focus on Pumptracks? How do I do on the 8 meter hill? Elke explains in the interview below.

Name: Elke Vanhoof
Age: 30

Hometown: Dessel, Belgium
Sponsors: Topsport Defensie, Toyo Tires, Deft Family, Polar, Gear2Win, Zulu, fietsstickers.be, aktiv-8, CoachBox, Wattbike, Fysioshop, 6D, Meybo Bikes

Did 2021 turn out the way you wanted?
Elke Vanhoof: Well… yesss. I’m back on my bike and able to ride, train and race again. I qualified for the Olympics and closed the season with a final at the last UCI BMX Racing Word Cup. :)

With the start of the new year, are you always looking to become a faster racer?
Elke Vanhoof: Of course, I think that’s what BMX racing is all about, become a better and faster BMX racer and have fun doing it. I love it when the pieces are coming together!

Have you picked your races for 2022 yet?
Elke Vanhoof: Yups of course, can’t wait to race again!

What did you change on your bike for 2022?
Elke Vanhoof: Well, I’m hoping to ride the new Meybo carbon soon.

Do you generally test things in the off season like different tires, different sized frames, wider bars, longer stems, different gears?
Elke Vanhoof: We did some testing but not that much, I’m not a bike freak, I’m more of a training programming freak and rather test some new training stuff.

What racing gear will you be running in 2022?
Elke Vanhoof: Don’t know yet… let’s test this in the beginning of the season. Ask me again later.

What's the helmet of your choice for the new season?
Elke Vanhoof: 6D helmet

Do you intend to eat better in 2022?
Elke Vanhoof: Nope, my nutrition is on point.

Has your training schedule changed from last year?
Elke Vanhoof: Last year I was coming back from an injury and couldn’t train that much yet. Now I’m getting back in my “normal” training habits.

Who is helping you with your training schedule?
Elke Vanhoof: Eli is helping me out, I’m making my own schedule and training plans but I always can go to my BB and coach Eli for feedback and help!

Do you get help with mental coaching?
Elke Vanhoof: Yes, I have a mental coach

What's your local BMX track that you ride the most?
Elke Vanhoof: Dessel Is my local BMX track but because Zolder has the 8m hill. We ride a lot in zolder with the national team.

Do you ride pump tracks and trails to improve your bike handling skills?
Elke Vanhoof: Not really. When I was younger I did but now I have my training and other priorities, like my BMX school project91.be. But I love to do it sometimes, like they asked me to compete at the Red Bull Pumptrack World's and it was so much fun!

What are your strengths?
Elke Vanhoof: I’m strong and fast

What are your weaknesses?
Elke Vanhoof: Sometimes I’m getting too focused on a thing that’s not working like I want it to. For example, when I have a bad gate session I don’t stop when I did everything on the program, but I will do 100 more reps… and of course getting more frustrated. Nowadays I know it's okay not always to be perfect and a bad training session doesn’t necessarily mean a bad race day. Maybe tomorrow you have a better day.

What are your goals for 2022?
Elke Vanhoof: In my career I didn’t raced many UCI World Cups so that’s my main goal for the next years of my career to race more of those.