[Interview] Anneke Beerten

[ad3]Last week in Southern California at the GT Bicycles Team Camp, we got a chance to catch up with some of their athletes.  The first in a series of interviews is EWS star Anneke Beerten.  After coming off of Specialized and recently joining forces with GT alongside Martin Maes & Rachel Throop, she is currently training for next season’s EWS rounds by twisting throttles, riding BMX and getting out there on her Force X Carbon.

MTB-MAG: You’re on a new and very different bike.  Has it been a bit of an adjustment?



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Anneke: No, we got along right away.  It was super easy to transition.  I got the bike, pulled it out and hardly adjusted anything.  After riding the first trail in my backyard I was stoked immediately.  It was a little bit of an adjustment switching from 29″ to 27.5″ but I had no problem.

Anneke's GT Force getting some love.
Anneke’s GT Force getting some love.

MTB-MAG: Are you going to strictly ride the Force or will you ride the Sanction for some rounds?

Anneke: I’ll probably go back and forth depending on the tracks a bit.  For example, in Ireland the trails are tight and I’ll probably ride the Force, where in La Thuille, there are a lot of lift runs and long rowdy downhills so I’ll be more apt to ride the Sanction.  It’s a luxury that we have those two amazing bikes to choose from.

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Photo : Jake Hamm

MTB-MAG: What are your goals this year?

Anneke: WINNING!  Definitely defending my queen of Crankworx title but I think the main thing for me is to get that first EWS win.  In the back of my mind floating around is to get the overall win but I just want to have steady season.

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Photo : Jake Hamm

MTB-MAG: What is your favorite round?

Anneke: At the moment I’m really looking forward to Chile. I went there two years ago and it was a different venue and area, but knowing how it is there, it really suits my riding style so I can’t wait for that one.

Photo poached from instagram.com/annekbeerten
Photo poached from instagram.com/annekbeerten

MTB-MAG: What’s the coolest thing you’ve done this off season?

Anneke: Ride a lot of moto.  Mostly riding around here(SoCal)…I’ve been riding with Curtis Keene a bit and Ronnie Renner took me riding one day.  It’s been refreshing to do something else.  I was talking to Brook about it and he mentioned how much it helps his DH racing.  I feel the same way – it’s really hard riding a dirt bike.  I’m so sore the day after, I roll out of my bed and I can hardly move for two days.  It’s awesome cross training.

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Photo : Jake Hamm

MTB-MAG: Have you done any trail riding on motos?  That would likely be good Enduro training.

Anneke: Not yet, mostly track riding at LACR and Pala.  I’m just getting into it and learning as it’s my second year riding it.

MTB-MAG: OK, understandable.  You need to go ride trails at Honda Valley ASAP though!

Anneke's new teammate : Martin Maes
Anneke’s new teammate : Martin Maes

MTB-MAG: Who would you say is a going to be a sick up and comer in the EWS?

Anneke: Hmmmm that’s a tough one.  I would have to say Martin Maes.  He was showing it now and then throughout last year, but he’s up for a breakthrough this year.  He’s been putting in the training and looking really fit.  He has different people around him now so hopefully we can push him to some more podiums.

 

 

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MTB-MAG: Thanks for chatting with us Anneke and best of luck this season!

www.gtbicycles.com

Anneke on Facebook

Anneke on Instagram

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