Athlete David Cools was recently interviewed by Patrick from Cycle Live. Because David has been a loyal Concap user for years and mentioned this in the article, we'd like to share his story with you.
In addition to professional competitive cycling, Cyclelive Magazine also likes to focus on the competitive categories lower down the pyramid of cycling competitions. This includes the story of mountain biker and former motocross rider David Cools.
Born with two wheels in the stomach
David Cools' story is one of many falls, getting back up again and trying to become competitive once more. But it is also the story of an avid motocross rider who was forced to take up cycling and ultimately fell head over heels in love with mountain biking.
When David was five years old, he started competing in motocross, and for the next 33 years, he never gave up on competitive motocross. He even became Belgian Champion in the Inters class six times. However, David was never able to realise his big dream of becoming a professional. Numerous serious injuries took their toll, preventing him from getting the most out of his career. The last injury he sustained during his motocross career, seven years ago, put an end to his motocross story. The accident resulted in a very serious fracture of his thighbone and hip, which almost caused Cools to lose his leg. Game over, resulting in a difficult physical and mental rehabilitation. It immediately became the start of a new sporting career on two wheels, but this time on a mountain bike.
Cools started riding ATB races in the D series and after two years of trying out the competition, he moved up to the A series. Gradually, he sought ever greater challenges in higher-level competitions. This led him to the Flanders Cup, where he now gives his all in the Masters 2 series (45–54 years) and became the overall winner of the classification in 2024.
David, tell us how you got from motorbikes to mountain bikes...
"After realising that my motocross career was truly over, I needed a new challenge, and Dr. Toon Claes, who operated on me, provided it. My crash occurred in May 2017, and Toon Claes gave me a year to prepare to compete in La Cannibale (Mont Ventoux) in June 2018. I made it and completed the ride! In hindsight, this may have been a bit extreme as a first goal, but I needed those extremes – and I certainly needed them then.
After that, I continued riding my road bike for a while, but it didn't give me enough satisfaction. That's why I started mountain biking again, which I used to do a lot as physical training. At first, I didn't want to compete at all, but after a local fun race, I was bitten by the competitive bug again and since then I have been participating in MTB races almost every week. ”
So it was like a spark that reignited the engine, that local competition?
"Yes, during the CX race that Geert Wellens organised here in Vorselaar until recently, there was always a series for people from Vorselaar. That's where I got hooked and the spark was ignited. Starting again, competing man to man, suffering and arriving completely exhausted, I had missed that so much...
It may sound strange, but that's when my true love for cycling began."
You come from the motor world, are both worlds comparable?
"No, they are different worlds. In motocross, there is a lot of cycling involved in training, but otherwise there is little similarity. Or perhaps one thing: you have to train extremely hard for both sports!"
What drives you so fiercely to race?
“I just need that competition. Ever since I was little, I've done nothing but race. I'm already looking forward to March when the season starts again.”
How have your results evolved over the past few years?
"The first seasons were really tough. I went all out, like in cross-country, and it was all or nothing, and at that point it was a lot of NOTHING. I had to learn everything, and I trained without any know-how. Sometimes I lacked speed, other times strength or explosiveness. It was maddening.
But that changed because, with the help of Luc Van den Broeck from Concap and sports doctor Sam Vermeire, I improved year after year. Last season, in 2024, after five years of growth, I was finally able to ride a very good and strong season without any dips or setbacks.
This year, I won races in the Wallonia Cup and Luxembourg Cup, achieved podium finishes in the 3nation races, was the overall winner of the Flanders Cup classification and, what I am most proud of, came third in the Belgian Marathon Championships in La Roche."
What are your ambitions for 2025?
"That I can have another year like this one. I've been good all year and everywhere I started, I competed for the podium. If I can match that or maybe do a little better, then 2025 will be another successful year."
What do your training sessions look like, how many hours per week?
"I exercise every day: cycling, mountain biking, strength training and core stability, I do it all. In winter, I put the bike aside a little more and focus more on strength and stability. During the season, I cycle more, but I never skip stability training. My body has suffered a lot during my MX career, so keeping all my muscles strong is a must!
During the winter period, I train for about 15 hours a week. Of course, that depends a bit on the weather. During the season, it's usually a little less, unless I need to train for a specific goal. But on average, I still train for at least 10 to 15 hours a week, including competitions."
Do you pay attention to your diet?
"I have always been mindful of my diet, but since this year, I have been receiving nutritional guidance from Natacha Van den Broeck of Proti Balance/Concap. This has made a significant difference. She has ensured that I have remained focused throughout the year without experiencing hunger and without muscle breakdown, but rather muscle growth. If you want nutritional guidance to improve your performance, she's the one to go to!"
Do you take supplements as well?
"Yes, for supplements, I am under the constant supervision of Luc Van den Broeck, who adjusts my Concap products where necessary. I have my blood values checked several times a year by my doctor. Luc then advises me on the right supplements to take in order to perform at my best. During the season, I even visit Luc weekly at certain times, and we discuss which competitions are on the programme and adjust the supplements accordingly."
Do Concap products really help you that much? And how does that make you feel?
“They help enormously. Without Concap products, I would never have been able to compete at this level in mountain biking. They give me strength, energy, better recovery and I hardly ever get sick anymore. My level has really improved significantly in a short period of time since I started using the products.”
What kind of work do you do?
"My main occupation is postman, but I also work as a motocross coach and personal trainer on a self-employed basis."
How long do you think you will continue competing?
"As long as I can physically manage it. I think they'll have to bury me with my bicycle one day..." (David laughs heartily)
Is cycling without competition not an option for you?
"No, certainly not at the moment. But it will happen eventually. However, I would like to delay it for as long as possible by taking good care of myself and continuing to train hard."
Well done! We wish you many more years of success on your mountain bike, David!
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