Polish track sprinter Kamil Kuczyński recently completed his summer training at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center in Trexlertown, Pennsylvania. 2010 marks his second year in a row using the renowned TTown velodrome as the base for his summer preparations. The venue boasts the World Series of Bicycling which attracts top international competition for its sprint and endurance events.
Kuczyński focuses on the Keirin, Team Sprint, and (1K) Kilometer Time Trial, events that suit his ability
for short, intense bursts of power. The Pole has established himself as one of the best in the business over the past couple of seasons. He has been a fixture at the World Cup, World Championship, and Olympic
events over the past four years, with top finishes that include eleventh at the Beijing Olympic Games Keirin, fifth in the 2009 World Championship Team Sprint as well as eighth in the Kilometer, second and third at the 2009 Manchester World Cup Team Sprint and Kilometer, respectively, and third in the Kilometer at the 2009 Beijing World Cup.
He began to assert his authority when he arrived in TTown, winning races including the famed Keirin Cup as soon as he unpacked his machine. During his time in Trexlertown, Kuczyński has become an asset to the cycling community, providing valuable advice on bike setup, start technique and training to aspiring track riders of all ages and abilities. VeloNation had the opportunity to talk with Kamil to discuss the upcoming World and Olympic programs.
VeloNation: We know you are currently preparing for upcoming events, what is your primary goal for 2011 and 2012 ?
Kamil Kuczyński: My primary goal for 2011 and 2012 is get qualification and the best preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London. This year qualification will be much more difficult for Poland because only 5 teams from Europe can go to London. In the last World Championship, the first 3 teams (Germany, France, and Great Britain) were from Europe. It will be very difficult to beat them, so that means there will be just 2 places left for other teams from Europe. There are at least 6 other very strong teams Poland must beat to qualify…The Netherlands, Russia, Ukraine, Spain, Italy, and Czech Republic. To do that I need spend a lot more time in gym, which I really don’t like, to increase my max speed and strength abilities. If we make the qualification, I want to race in Keirin like in Beijing. Maybe with more luck this time.
VN: Are you pleased with your training so far this season?
KK: In this year, I changed a little with my training in the early spring after the World Championship. This is the first time my fitness in the first months of new season is so good. So right now this year is very good for me, my training has been going very well and I'm happy with my current effort.
VN: This is your second summer at the Valley Preferred Cycling Center. How do you feel about the resources?
KK: Valley Preferred Cycling Center is perfect place for training and racing. Marty Nothstein invites world class riders to race with US riders and because of that philosophy, everybody can increase their level. There a lot of people at the (Valley Preferred) Cycling Center who know what to do to make a world class rider. There are a lot of great young riders here!! I can mention big names such as Giddeon Massie, Andy Lakatosh or David Espinoza, Colleen Hayduk, Kacey Manderfield. Including Future Stars like Evelyn Korbich and Tyler Nothstein.
VN: There are many international athletes, including sprinters and Keirin riders. Do you get along with the other riders, and what do you think about having so many different nationalities training on one track?
KK: As I said, Marty invites a lot of international riders as Roberto Chiappa, Yondi Schmidt, Roy Van Der Berg, Ed Dawkins, Adam Stewart and Smith Travis. Because of that, I can sometimes watch new, different ways of training. I am still learning and that kind of experience is very important to me. The time I spend here will help me increase my level. It's not a problem that we are from different parts of the world, we meet here and we can help each other prepare.
VN: With so many feature events at the VPCC, What is your favorite week of racing?
KK: The Keirin for sure. I love this race. It is so exciting from start when everybody standing in one line and waiting for motorpacer. You can find everything you want there! Speed, agression, tactics, fighting arm to arm, helmet to helmet. Next I enjoy the scratch races, I can tell what and when you should do to get a good place. I enjoy the whole program here, even last Tuesday, the Madison race was very interesting and fun.
VN: What is your best cycling accomplishment?
KK: My best cycling accomplishment... I think the Keirin race in Olympic Games in Beijing. That has been my best so far.
VN: What is your best memory from training and racing at the VPCC?
KK: My best memories from my stay will be memories of people I meet here; I don't have enough time to nominate them all. I will remember the people who enjoy coming to see the races and cheer the riders. For me, as an athlete, there is no better thanks for the hours spent training and in a lot of pain than the moment when somebody screams my name because they enjoy watching me when I'm race. The fans are the best!
VN: Do you believe WADA is doing enough to fight doping in track cycling?
KK: I think that WADA doing good job. Since I compete in track cycling I don't have so many controls as road riders. I was once was in the ADAMS program in 2006, and know that it can be difficult to say where I'll be now and at the same time next month. We must believe that cycling is now a cleaner sport thanks to the work done by the WADA. I want to believe that if I have lost to somebody, it is because he was better than me and has worked harder, not because he has taken something that helped him to beat me.
VN: Do you have a strong support group around you?
KK: Sure, it is thanks to everyone who believes in me and has helped me with my road to the place where I am now. There have been coaches, physiotherapist, doctors, and sponsors who have provided the support so I can devote my time to develop as a cyclist. So far it has been a difficult road with many turns, but together we have been able to do very good job. We still have long way to go, and we will continue the hard work to get there together. I believe that, in the end, we will be able to sit there and say we have done everything we could to reach our dreams.