Belgian Uplace Team Pro Bart Aernouts had a very solid 2012 season and started his 2013 account with a win at 70.3 South Africa. He is currently getting ready for the Abu Dhabi Triathlon and we had a few words with him. We typically would not have introduced him as a triathlete as this is usually a given, but there is also a famous Belgian cyclocross Pro by that name. Onwards now though to the man who came to triathlon from duathlon.

Slowtwitch: Thank you for your time Bart.

Bart: It’s my pleasure Herbert.

ST: Is Lanzarote treating you well?

Bart: I enjoyed training in Lanzarote a lot, and it’s all still new for me as it was only my 3rd time on the island. This time it was a last minute decision because of the cold weather back home. For a good last preparation for the Abu Dhabi triathlon warmer weather was very welcome, especially for the longer bike rides.

ST: But you spent more time training earlier this year in South Africa?

Bart: Yes, that’s right. I taught it was a good choice to combine the 70.3 race with a training camp in Stellenbosch afterwards. This was not only for preparing Abu Dhabi, but just a good time of the year to do my first training camp overseas.

ST: How do the two compare in terms of training options?

Bart: Both places are different, but very good for training. It’s summer in South Africa, so the temperature is nice and makes it easier to do more training then back home. It was my first time in Stellenbosch and I really like it. There is always some good company to train with if you’re keen, and riding and running are great over there. The swim options though are moderate. Since the Uplace team has a deal with the Sands Beach hotel in Lanzarote, this is a great place to go when you look for a place closer to home. The training facilities are very good and they treat all athletes well!

ST: Since we are talking about South Africa, you actually opened up your 2013 season with a win at Ironman 70.3 South Africa.

Bart: Yes, it might sound a bit weird afterwards, but before the race I was not sure about my shape at all. But I think most of the athletes have that feeling before their first race of the season. My preparation for this race was very short because I became a father (daughter Paulien) for the first time just 5 weeks before the race. Maybe this gave me extra energy in the race.

Anyway, I really liked the race and especially the tough bike and run course. I think it was a very fair race and I had a good day.

ST: Does that make you feel better going into Abu Dhabi?

Bart: To start my 2013 season with a win is very nice, but you can’t compare that race with Abu Dhabi. I feel in a good shape and 70.3 South Africa showed me I’m heading in the right direction. But from what I saw in the previous races in Abu Dhabi, it’s very important to have a good swim. It’s not a very demanding bike course, so that makes it harder for me to chase the leaders and close the gap. As you probably know, I’m still not a great swimmer. So my main goal for the race is to have a good swim and see if I’m improved on a longer bike section compared to last year, as that is where I struggled with in my first 2 Ironman events.

ST: Was the Abu Dhabi Tri entry a bit of a late thought or had you planned on racing there for a while now?

Bart: I was already thinking about racing Abu Dhabi for a while, but wanted to wait for my first race of the season before I finally decided to give it a try. After 70.3 South Africa there was no reason not to contact the organization of the Abu Dhabi Tri.

ST: The BMC TM01 is a new ride for you this year, and that begs the question if you have had enough time on it yet to tackle that 200 km bike segment?

Bart: I’m pretty sure I had enough training kilometers on the new bike to get trough the 200km. Straight from the beginning I felt very comfortable on the bike in my current position and I have to admit that I’m stoked about our partnership with BMC and the new bikes. Doesn’t matter if the bike is really faster or not, the idea is already enough to give you a boost, but I’m pretty sure the TM01 is one of the fastest TT bikes on the market.

ST: Have you been fit to that bike?

Bart: Yes, I have a new position for the 2013. This time I did some testing in the Mapei center in Italy. The results combined with some input from John Meuleman of athletefitting.com gave me a good starting point for this year. Now it’s a matter of riding lot’s of kilometers and get some feedback from racing in this position.

ST: In 2012 you defended your title in Antwerp, finished second in Wiesbaden and finished 11th in Kona among other tings. Were you pleased with your year?

Bart: Yes I’m pleased with 2012. Winning Antwerp for the 3rd time in a row was special for me, because it’s my home town/city and it’s great to run trough the city with so much support and lots of cheering. I also like to race now and then in my home country. My second places in Wiesbaden and Switzerland were good as well, and coming second after a strong Michael Raerlert is not bad at all. My 6th place in Vegas and 11th place in Kona are both good results but I was not a 100% satisfied with it.

Vegas was a very tough race and I never felt 100%, and that’s what you’re looking for in a World Championship! 11th in Kona was a very good result as a rookie, but my swim was terrible and I struggled in the last 50k’s on the bike. The race was not really a goal for me in 2012, but a good way to discover what’s special about Kona and learn a lot for the future. Missing out on top 10 with less then a minute was the only hard feeling after the race.

ST: What would it take in your view to make 2013 a bigger success?

Bart: I just try to improve every year, as that’s what you need in this growing sport. 2012 was my first year in Long Distance racing, and in 2013 I just want to try to do better. In 2013 I focus on a few 70.3 races, with a goal to get at least close to the podium in every race. Main goal for the year is the WC in Vegas, I really like the tough race and aim for the podium. For this year, I also focus on a good race in IM Nice in June. I also have to finish this race to qualify for Hawaii, as it’s the only IM race on my program. The combination Vegas – Hawaii worked well for me, so that’s the target for 2013 as well. So 2013 will be a success for me if I can win some races, make the podium in Vegas and improve in Hawaii!

ST: We have to ask you about the other Bart Aernouts. I know there is no relationship, but do you know each other reasonably well?

Bart: We know each other, but only met a few times. So I can’t say we know each other well. I think we both have respect for each other’s career and follow up the results. For me it’s quite easy to follow his results as cyclocross is big in Belgium. If I have the chance and I’m home, I like watching it on TV or sometimes live.

ST: Have people mistaken you for him?

Bart: Not often, but it happens. Especially other triathletes from Europe sometimes ask me if I do cyclocross racing in winter as well. For other people my name sounds familiar, probable from watching a cyclocross race on TV.

ST: Would you do better in a cross race or he in a triathlon?

Bart: That’s a good question! To be honest, I would love to do a cross race and find out. I’m not sure how his swim is, but his run should be okay as they do some running training as well. I guess I’m spending way more time on the bike then he in the pool. It also depends on how technical the race course would be as it’s quite specific.

ST: Maybe we should find out.

Bart: Why not! Always interested if you come up with an opportunity.

ST: Hmmm, anything else we should know?

Bart: Don’t think so.


You can follow Bart Aernouts on twitter at @bartaernouts