A Day With: The Arab cyclist leading the pack

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  • Big responsibility: Youcef Reguigui.

    While some of us stumble upon our careers, for Youcef Reguigui, life as a professional cyclist was his destiny.

    Following in the footsteps of his father, who was part of Algeria’s national cycling team, Reguigui was practically born into the sport.

    Now 26, the North African sprinter has come a long way, as he rides for WorldTour outfit, Team Dimension Data, with Mark Cavendish as his team-mate. As the only Arab currently competing at this level, Reguigui stood out as he helped Cavendish win two stages in the Abu Dhabi Tour last weekend.

    Sport360 caught up with him to find out about his journey from amateur rider in Algeria, to riding the Vuelta a Espana last year, and being one of Cavendish’s lead-out men in the peloton.

    How did you get to join Team Dimension Data?

    It was a very long journey before I managed to join a professional team like this. I got an opportunity to train at Centre Mondial (the UCI World Cycling Centre) in Switzerland from 2009 to 2011. And from then on, I won several Under-23 races that gave me a lot of motivation and pushed me forward in my career.

    What encouraged you to join this team?

    This is my fourth season with Dimension Data. I was in touch with other professional teams in France and Spain but this was a right fit because they’re an African team and they recruited many African riders in their first two years. So I chose to join them because I liked how they were helping African cyclists. My contract with them is still running in 2017 and we’ll see what happens after that.

    How did you initially get into the sport?

    My father used to be a cyclist in the Algerian national team. He wasn’t lucky enough to get a chance with a European professional team. I feel like I’m continuing his journey, and keeping the family name alive in the sport.

    What was it like training at the Centre Mondial?

    It was like a school that shows you how to be a professional rider without actually joining a professional team. It was a tough period though, I’d stay in Switzerland five months at a time, training hard and competing in races but thankfully I made the best out of it. Hopefully we see more Arab riders coming through the ranks. I’m still 26 and have many years ahead of me but I hope I can transfer my experience to a younger generation of Arab riders so they can represent us in the future.

    Do you feel that being the sole Arab rider competing at this level, in a WorldTour team, is a big responsibility?

    It is a huge responsibility especially when I’m competing in a Gulf country or any Arab country.

    And what about your team-mates and other riders, are they curious about you being from an Arab country?

    I get asked a lot about my how I made it, as an Algerian, Arab professional rider. They didn’t really know that cycling exists in Africa, and they ask me about my religion quite often, almost daily I receive one or two questions during team dinners. They are curious to know more every time they see something new.

    Did things change drastically for you and the team when Mark Cavendish joined this year?

    Yes for sure things changed. I’m very lucky to be in this position. After watching Mark Cavendish on TV for years, now I’m his leadout man. He created a different atmosphere within the team – having 30 Tour de France stage wins is no small feat. He created a different atmosphere outside of competition and during competition. Because riding a race with Mark Cavendish, you feel 100 per cent professional and there is no room for error. There is pressure for sure. But you get used to it.

    From the outside, it’s not easy to figure out Cavendish, what’s he like as a teammate?

    I myself had a wrong impression of him before he became my team-mate but since he joined, I got to know him well and he’s a good guy, he creates a fun environment within the team, always likes to share a good laugh… if you see him from afar, most people would say he’s arrogant but he really isn’t.

    Enjoying life: Reguigui.

    Enjoying life: Reguigui.

    Your team is organised by the Qhubeka Foundation, the World Bicycle Relief ’s charity programme in South Africa. Tell me about the charity element of the team…

    We work with them in providing youngsters and mothers with bicycles, to be used as transportation, in South Africa, Eritrea and other countries. It’s been going well and I hope we can also help North African countries.

    What’s been your proudest moment so far as a cyclist?

    Every race I contest, I make sure that I’m enjoying myself. Life is short and you have to enjoy it. I do my best to soak up the moment when I’m competing. I spent nine or 10 months of the year racing, and the rest I spend it with my family. I’m based in Italy but during the off-season, I go to Algiers with my wife and daughter, then we travel abroad for a bit.

    You competed at the Olympics in Rio, how was that experience for you?

    It was my first Olympics. As a sprinter, the route was not for me, with lots of climbs. But I enjoyed the experience and hopefully in 2020, the route in Tokyo will be flat which will help me do well.

    What’s your impression of the Abu Dhabi Tour?

    It’s my first time doing the Abu Dhabi Tour and it really is an honour for all Arabs. The organisation is great, which is no surprise for the UAE. All the riders have been really happy with this race.

    What’s the biggest race you’ve taken part in?

    I competed in the Vuelta a Espana last year. Let’s just say that I’ve made a huge leap since Vuelta 2015 until today.

    I’m sure you looked up to your father growing up, but did you have any sporting idols?

    I always admired Mark Cavendish as well as Edvald Boasson Hagen, who is a class rider.

    What’s the reaction back home to your accomplishments, do the people in Algeria follow your results?

    Thank God I feel like I have somewhat of a status in Arab cycling, not just in Algeria, and I hope I do my people proud and record good results so I can motivate the younger generation to follow suit.

    What do you think young riders must do to try and follow in your footsteps?

    They should take part in as many races abroad as possible, in Europe, and they should follow a strict training and put together a strong race programme.

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