There was an Elephant and an Eagle
Interviews

We're getting very close to the start of Chapter II. But we found time to sit down with our rookie Hasan Baqer, who is about to take on his first VIA Race. Hasan has received a Café du Cycliste cycling kit for his upcoming adventure—his first long-distance race. Let’s get to know Hasan through a few questions.

Why did you choose this route?

I actually didn’t choose it. I got the invitation from Alex, who asked if I wanted to join a trip he had planned with another friend, Gerd. He told me it would last seven to eight days, with lots of climbing and riding through beautiful regions. I’d never been there before. Also, Alex knew I was training for the VIA Race, so it was a great opportunity to make progress, visit new places, and ride iconic climbs like Col du Galibier, Col de la Bonette, and Col de l’Iseran.

Was it good training? What were the most interesting highlights along the way?

Yes, it was definitely good training. It gave me a real taste of what the race might feel like—especially dealing with long climbs in a single day. It was amazing to ride through three countries: Switzerland, a small part of Italy, and mostly France. I was surprised by how many cyclists were in the mountains; I didn’t expect that much “cycling traffic.” It was a bit stressful, but I managed to get through it.
It was my first time bikepacking for seven days in a row at those altitudes—around 1,100 kilometers and 21,000 meters of elevation. The biggest highlight? The descents. Breathtaking. The nature and the snow were beyond anything I’ve experienced before.

You did it with Alex, one of the “Elephants” of VIA. Did you already know him, or did you meet for Chapter II? And what’s your experience in ultra cycling? How did you start, and what do you think about it?

Yes, I’ve known Alex for almost two years—which is also how long I’ve been riding a road bike. We live in the same region, though not in the same city. Since then, we’ve done a lot together. He’s always been supportive and helpful, and I’ve learned so much from him. I actually registered for this race because of him. He’s the reason I got into this—he’s my inspiration.

I don’t have any experience in ultra cycling races, but I’ve done long rides of 200–300 km and a few between 500–600 km. After watching Alex race last year, I became more and more interested. I really wanted to try it. I just needed a little push—and Alex gave me that.

Ultra cycling is really fascinating. I think it's more mental than physical. I registered for the VIA Race last year and created a training plan, but unfortunately, I got injured at the end of December during a long, cold ride with Alex. We were riding across Germany from west to east, and because of the cold, I had to stop—I was in a lot of knee pain.

I couldn’t train properly until March. Then I slowly started again. Knock on wood, the recovery went faster than expected. I still have a bit more training to do before the race, but we’ll see how it goes.

What are your expectations for Chapter II?

It’s going to be tough and challenging—but at the same time, I’m looking forward to meeting new people and becoming part of the community. I think that will help me get through it. My goal is simple: reach the finish line on time.

Thanks to our confirmed partner, we’re working with Café du Cycliste to support rookies like you. How are you finding the CDC kit?

I love it. It’s extremely comfortable—I’m really satisfied with it so far. I wore it on the trip from Freiburg to Nice, and I’m curious to see how it performs over two weeks. I especially loved how quickly it dries. Sitting in wet clothes makes me cold, and this really helped.

What is your riding nightmare? And your biggest dream?

Being attacked by an animal in the dark, honestly! And also, planning a route with an app and discovering in reality that it's totally wrong—especially on long rides.
As for dreams… well, it’s not exactly a dream, but I’d like to improve my performance enough to finish in the top 10 of every race I do—and not die doing it!

Have you already been to Italy in summer? Are you ready with Italian gestures to order gelato and pizza and refuel during the race?

Yes, I’ve been to Italy in the summer a few times. I really enjoy the atmosphere and the people. I love a good pizza with good red wine. Who doesn’t love pizza and gelato?

Thank you, Hasan, for your time and for becoming part of the VIA community. We wish you the best for the VIA Race—and for life. We’re looking forward to dotwatching your adventure and meeting you along the way. Let’s go!