QUICK PRO CHAT: Gert Heyns on his 2020 experience

CATCH UP WITH GERT HEYNS

TIMO COOPER RECENTLY CAUGHT UP WITH THE DSV PRO CYCLING ELITE ATHLETE

Why is off-season so important to you and other professional riders?

It is a chance to take a break from riding, giving the body and mind a chance to rest and recover. It is important to take longer breaks occasionally to get rid of built up fatigue and probably almost more importantly to take a break from the mental strain of training and racing continuously. This helps a lot to enter a new season fully motivated and with the right mind-set.

What is your favourite and least favourite part of off-season?

To get the chance to do things that you never have the time or energy to do during the season is probably my favourite part. It does almost feel like a real holiday where one can take a chance to just relax, eat whatever you want and enjoy a beer or two with friends. My least favourite part is probably the fact that most people that you would like to spend your off-season with usually have to work at the times that I take off so unless you have something to do like studying or chores it can actually become quite boring and frustrating to stay off the bike.

“IT DOES ALMOST FEEL LIKE A REAL HOLIDAY WHERE ONE CAN TAKE A CHANCE TO JUST RELAX”

How long is the off-season usually and why?

Anything between two and four weeks depending on how you feel. I usually wait until I am really eager to get back to training.

What do you want to focus on during this time, what do you want to improve mentally and physically?

It is a good time to focus on strength training and running, as starting with it while doing a lot of hours on the bike can be very difficult. Mentally I prefer not to think about racing too much as there will be enough time for that in the build-up process.

What type of training do you focus on during the off-season and why?

I enjoy hiking and trail running because you get to see amazing places and spend time in nature. I also try to work in some strength training before getting back on the bike. Ideally I would dust off my surfboard for off-season but that has not happened since 2014.

Fan fact about Gert?

Spent most of the last four years studying a BSc degree at Stellenbosch University, also cycling is my side hustle now, I actually spend most of my day just drinking coffee.

IMAGES BY BRANDON WAUGH- HALF PINT PHOTOGRAHPHY