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The Dutch powerhouse became the first-ever Men’s Sprint champion by winning five out of the eight races during the 2021 season, but last time around was pipped to the title by Matthew Richardson, despite triumphing in a further five races.
With his drive and determination as high as ever, we sat down with Harrie to discuss his ambitions ahead of the 2023 series and the challenges he’ll face over the five rounds of action.
Harrie, you’ve been one of the stars in both previous seasons of the UCI Track Champions League. What are you most looking forward to most as you prepare for the upcoming campaign?
I'm super excited to race the UCI Track Champions League again. The first season was intense as it came right after the (rescheduled) 2020 Olympic Games, and right before the UCI Track World Championships and last year we only had three weeks to train before it. This year is different. I’ve had a good build-up phase so I really hope I can come in with some good form, and I can't wait to compete.
We’re presuming the UCI Track Champions League is your main goal for the remainder of the season?
Absolutely. I'm putting all my energy into it. This year, my main focus was the UCI Cycling World Championships, and I’ve set my sights firmly on the Olympic Games in Paris next year, but for now, it’s all about the UCI Track Champions League and I'm determined to round off my year on a high.
Last year your rivalry with Matthew Richardson was one of the highlights. In a recent interview, Matthew told us he felt a target on his back during those races. What do you expect from the Men’s Sprint competition this year, and do you see that target on his back?
Matthew and I raced each other at the UCI Cycling World Championships and that went well for me [Harrie won gold medals in the Sprint and Team Sprint]. As we head into the 2023 series, Matthew will be my biggest rival and I expect nothing less than last year. I don’t want to say there is a target on his back, but if my goal is to win, then I know I have to beat him. I hope to get my revenge and I hope to take the Men’s Sprint title back.
It has to be good for you to have that competitiveness and rivalry with Matthew. What do you think his main qualities are as a rider?
Matthew’s an explosive rider that can accelerate in a short space of time, and that makes it difficult to race against him. Last year he was so consistent. I felt like I was consistent too, but he just finished ahead of me. This year, I'm going to try and beat him by working around his strengths. To win the UCI Champions League, it's all about consistency.
We asked Matthew what his favourite moment was of the 2022 UCI Track Champions League, and he said it was the final Keirin race against you. If you had to choose, what would your favourite moment be?
Matthew beat me in the first two Sprint finals last season, so my favourite moment was when I battled back to win the third one against him in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines.
The UCI Track Champions League always has an incredible atmosphere. When you're racing, how much can you tune into the crowd?
It’s funny, at races like the UCI Cycling World Championships, I'm not really focused on the crowd, I'm just focused on the track. But at the UCI Track Champions League - with all the show elements, the lighting and the music - I feel much more connected to the fans. That's a really nice thing and it definitely spurs me on.
How important is the UCI Track Champions League to you in preparation for the 2024 Olympic Games?
It’s very important to my preparations, and because of that, it’s one of the main competitions in my programme. Other riders might think differently and may skip the League this year, but I’m really happy to be part of it. It gives me an extra five weeks of racing, which I can use as tactical training for the Olympics.
The 2023 series is visiting the same venues as it did last year. From experience, which is your favourite, and why?
Definitely London. The crowd there is always amazing.
With the Olympic Games taking place there next year, how important is it to race on the track at Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines?
It’s very important. I raced there twice last year at the UCI Cycling World Championships and UCI Track Champions League. That meant I knew the track, and I knew what was possible on it. To have that refresher ahead of the Olympic Games will be invaluable.
There is also a beautiful velodrome in Apeldoorn where you train at home in the Netherlands. Do you think the UCI Track Champions League will ever visit there, and if it did, what would that mean to you?
It would be really cool if that happened and I think it would draw a huge crowd. A lot of fans in the Netherlands watch the UCI Track Champions League, so I hope one day it will be a reality. As Dutch riders, it would be amazing to have our home crowd cheering us on.
