Nalini meets Quinten Hermans

Let's discover something more about Quinten Hermans of the Intermarché Wanty Gobert, double U23European Cyclocross champion.

When did you realize that cycling could become a job? I started riding my bike at the age of 8 and I’ve always dreamt of becoming a professional rider. But it was not until my first year in the U23 category that I realized that there was a real chance. I started training and racing with the pros and realized that I could follow them quite well. 

What are your main goals for this new season? This is a difficult question as we are racing on World Tour level. Only riders such as Pocagar or Alaphillipe are in a luxury situation and can really choose their goals. I know my race programme until the end of the season and I’m hoping to be in the mix for the overall victory in races such as the Belgium Tour or the Arctic Race of Norway, or at least have the feeling that I am one of the contenders for the GC victory. The team made a lot of progression in the time trial discipline so that helps. In addition, I’m dreaming of a Grand Tour stage victory. That’s a big goal and I hope that I can realize it one day.

 

How many hours do you train per week and how are your sessions set up? This varies a lot during the season and could be between 20 and 35 hours per week. During the CX season I would do less hours (13-14h on the bike) but more specific training and add physio or running sessions. In the summer I will me more hours in the saddle, up to 35 hours per week.

 

How do you feel wearing Nalini clothes? I was nicely surprised when I received the new kit. It’s definitely the best package I’ve ever had, there’s literally everything I need. There are so many different items and all of them look really good quality. For example, the bibs are knitted on exactly the same place in all bib shorts and bib tights. If you want me to mention one thing which could be better, I’d say that I can use a very warm rain jacket (last year I needed that in the Giro) or a time trial suit with short sleeves for hot weater.

 

What is the first memory of Nalini that comes to your mind? I remember that I was jealous of my friend Kenneth Vanbilsen a couple of years ago. He was riding for Codifis, a team sponsored by Nalini. We were training and it was so hot and we would sweat a lot with our thick bib shorts. But Kenneth rode with a summer bib short from Nalini and he said it made such a difference in warm weather. They were probably one of the first brands to offer summer bib shorts. 

 

Tell us about the best sprint/win of your career. It was not a bunch sprint, but a sprint with ten riders in the U23 European championships. I was the strongest in the race, but didn’t manage to distance the others. But in the end I did a very good sprint and became European Champion. I am proud of that performance.

Official website: www.intermarche-wantygobert.eu