With extra confidence, 20-year-old Hélène Hesters starts her next series of road races. Last week, the Belgian from Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental Team was on the podium at the Grote Prijs Willy Naessens, a kermesse race in Belgium.
In her second season with Liv AlUla Jayco, Hesters is noticing that she is stronger than a year ago. In mid-March, for example, she already achieved a top ten result in the Midwest Cycling Classic in Belgium.
Mentally strong
“Last year I concentrated as much on road races as on track cycling because of the Olympics in Paris. On one hand, that was quite challenging, but on the other hand it was also really pleasant. I noticed that the level in road races was very high, a few times I struggled to finish a race. In track cycling, on the other hand, there were successes, such as the European U23 title in the Madison race. That kept me mentally strong and believing in myself,” she says.
Riding finals
“This season is going much better for me personally. I had a good winter, and I can handle the road level better. I am able to ride finals now and noticed this spring that I manage to survive shorter climbs in groups containing the pre-tipped favourites. On one side, it is a matter of more experience and getting older, as the step from juniors to elites is quite big. On the other side, it also has to do with my training program and the good, professional guidance from the team. My physical numbers are much better.”
Proud of a world record
Earlier this year, Hesters made her last appearance in track cycling. She grabbed a silver medal in the elimination race at the European championships. Shortly before, she captured the world record in the 4,000-metre individual pursuit at the Belgian championships.
“I am proud to have been world record holder for a few weeks. I rode a time there that I never dreamed of beforehand,” she says. “The track medals have given me a boost to go extra hard in the road races and prove myself there too.”
*(Small side note: at the beginning of this year, the distance was lifted from 3,000 to 4,000 metres, the same as for the men. This makes it a relatively new event.)
Two times second
Due to unexpected cancellation of races, Liv AlUla Jayco Women’s Continental Team decided to participate in two kermesse races last weekend with a select group of riders. On Saturday, Hesters saw her teammate Emma Jeffers finish second at the Provincial Championship of Flemish Brabant. A day later, she put in the same performance in the Grote Prijs Willy Naessens.
“The kermesse races felt like coming home, because in my earlier years I regularly rode them,” she says. “In the Grote Prijs Willy Naessens, we built a two-minute lead with a group of 13 riders, the team behind did a good in the peloton. For the final sprint, I knew which wheel to choose. For my feeling I rode a very strong sprint there.”
Next goals
Hesters will be at the start of the Belgian time trial championships (U23) on Thursday which realistic ambitions. “Everyone knows there are two top favourites. Of course, I want to make it as difficult as possible for them, but at the same time I am realistic. I think it is a very nice test to see where I stand in a time trial of over 22 kilometres. In any case, I am in good shape,” said the Belgian, who will also race next weekend’s Festival Elsy Jacobs in Luxembourg with the team.
“The Festival Elsy Jacobs is always a beautiful, well-regarded race. That is evident from the provisional list of participants which includes only strong names. The first day will be a bit more for climbers. On Sunday there are again plenty of altimeters, but I expect a more open race in which a sprint is also a possibility.”
