Is it nature or nurture that creates tough cyclists? GCN+ sent Bernie Eisel to Flanders, a place that has produced more | dG1fZlJKYWhtMVN5Z28
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00:00 Belgium, a cycling mecca for pros that thrive in a couple of classics.
00:05 We had a good team and we had people that really wanted to die for each other.
00:09 Producing more pros per capita than any other nation.
00:13 It's in our DNA.
00:14 We had a fighting spirit.
00:16 It's do or die.
00:18 They are the Flandrians.
00:20 This is how I always remember Flanders.
00:26 Rough, tough and all four seasons in one ride.
00:31 As a Belgian you're used to this weather.
00:34 You hop on the bike straight away, stay as long as possible, you harden out.
00:38 Riding in the snow, riding without gloves, riding to the races in the rain.
00:42 Big trousers on, big vest and just do whatever you needed to do.
00:46 That sort of toughness breeds being able to survive in that classic environment.
00:53 The real principles of training are today just the same as they were 30 years ago.
00:59 The traditional Flandrian philosophy of training hard.
01:03 Is somebody getting trained here or tortured?
01:05 End long.
01:06 That's what makes the difference between the Belgians and the others.
01:10 But what is the region doing to nurture future talent?
01:14 I prefer to bring all young riders to cyclocross first.
01:18 The technique they learn, they can use it also in a peloton.
01:21 If you combine things you're going to be a better athlete.
01:25 That's the bottom line.
01:26 Who do you think is the most famous Flandrian?
01:30 There is only one Flandrian and that's Briekschotten.
01:33 [Music]
01:37 [Music]
01:40 (dramatic music)
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