Apr 1, 2010
This week 602nds had the opportunity to interview Norwegian Road Cyclist, Kurt Asle Arvesen.
Kurt currently rides for UCI Professional Cycling Team, Team Sky. He turned Professional in 1998 and has ridden for Pro teams Asics, Riso Scotti & Team Fakta; including 6 years with Team CSC (now Team Saxo Bank).
Kurt is an all rounder on the road and the Classic Races are his speciality. He has won many races since turning professional, including E3 Prijs Vlaanderen, Ster Elektrotoer, as well as stage wins in the Tour de France, Giro d’italia and TTT Vuelta a España.
Kurt has won the Norwegian National Road Championships five times, also winning the Norwegian National Time Trial Championships twice. In 1997 as an amateur Kurt won the U23 World Road Race Championship.
Unfortunately, Kurt’s start to the 2010 cycling season was interrupted when he crashed in stage 2 at the Tour of Qatar. I’m certain Kurt’s Norwegian fans, as well as his fans from all around the world are looking forward seeing him race on the cobbled roads during the Classics Season.
Hope you all enjoy this 602nds interview with Kurt Asle Arvesen.
602nds: What is the one race you would like to win before you retire from cycling?
Kurt: I’d like to win Ronde van Vlaanderen.
602nds: What is your personal cycling goal for 2010?
Kurt: Good form in the TdF
602nds: What is your all time cycling moment?
Kurt: Winning Stage 11 at the TdF in 2008
602nds: Is there a current rider in the peloton that you most respect and why?
Kurt: Jens Voigt, because the person he is
602nds: What do you think you would be doing for a living if you hadn’t been a pro cyclist?
Kurt: Farmer
602nds: How hard is it to see your team racing at a race that was a major goal for you, and not be able to be there when recovering from an Injury? Do you avoid watching the race?
Kurt: I follow the race, if I am injured I cope with that and get back
602nds: How different is training for the TdF then training for the Classics? Do you do anything different?
Kurt: More stage races before TdF, the rest is the same
602nds: Do you have a tip for someone who is just starting out riding?
Kurt: Give yourself time
602nds: Do you have a ritual you do before all your races, or a lucky charm etc
Kurt: No. I don`t believe in that
602nds: When you were recovering from your shoulder surgery this year you were tweeting some beautiful looking pictures of where you lived. Where is your favourite place to holiday or do you prefer to stay home when the cycling season finishes?
Kurt: I like to see the world, been around, but the best place is Eresfjord, on the northwest coast of Norway.
602nds: I’ve been lucky to be on Alpe d‘Huez when the TdF finishes on top, there were so many Norwegian fans camped out cheering for you. How do you feel when riding past them? And what has been the craziest thing a fan has done during a race?
Kurt: It’s really nice to have fans, the support from the side of the road keeps you moving… But cyclist don’t drink beers in the race, many try to give us that…
602nds would like to thank Kurt for his time and wishes him a successful 2010 season.
If you wish to keep track of what Kurt is up to you can follow him on Facebook, twitter or the Official Kurt Asle Arvesen Website.
Pictures courtesy of teamsky.com & kurtaslearvesen.no
