Accidental triathlete Axel Merckx
Axel Merckx recently competed in the Oliver Half triathlon and finished 4th overall in a time of 4:28:33. For a man who is busy with the Bontrager Cycling Development Team management and running the Valley First GranFondo Axel Merckx in Penticton, BC, Canada, that is not shabby, especially when considering this was his first and possibly only triathlon attempt.
Slowtwitch: Thanks for your time Axel.
Axel Merckx: You are welcome.
ST: How are your legs feeling?
Axel: The legs are quite tired actually. I managed to put in a couple recovery rides this week because it will actually help to make them feel better. But I rarely was that sore after a race in my life.
ST: Not even after a hard mountain stage? Or is that too far behind you to properly remember?
Axel: Well the fatigue is quite comparable to a mountain stage but also because I am not a pro at tri athlete and don’t train like one, I think my body wasn’t used to the running effort after the bike.
ST: You had a 4:28:33 at the Oliver Half and finished 4th overall. That is quite a nice effort and we would think that you were pleased.
Axel: Yes I was pleased. Just not knowing what I got myself into at the beginning of the race.
ST: This was actually your first triathlon I believe.
Axel: Yes, I never did any before last Sunday.
ST: Best bike split by about 4 minutes in 2:14:04. Did that actually matter to you or would you have traded an overall podium spot for a slower bike effort?
Axel: I really enjoyed myself on the bike. I didn’t consider it as a TT effort but rather a solid pace bike ride.
ST: But when you looked at your bike split after the race, were you pleased?
Axel: Oh yes I was happy I can still ride my bike at a descent pace.
ST: What made you decide to do this race in the first place, and why not a shorter event?
Axel: I was on a vacation in Maui last December and just talking with a friend and my wife about triathlons I got challenged to do one. I took on the challenge as a joke but also I was looking at something to motivate me to get back in shape. Oliver fitted well in my travel schedule and it was a local event.
ST: Did you work with someone on a training plan to get you ready?
Axel: I trained mostly in the pool with my wife who was a really good triathlete and an awesome swimmer. For the rest I trained with my friend Tod who did Ironman Canada last year, but really worked out whenever I had the time on the road.
ST: What percentage of your bike training was spent on the TT bike?
Axel: I actually spent very little time on the TT bike. I just received it 1 month ago and spent a lot of that time traveling between Tour of California and Tour of the Gila coaching for the Bontrager Cycling Team, so maybe 4x.
ST: Since you retired from Pro road racing in 2007 have you actually touched a TT bike before this Oliver Tri prep time? And with touching we mean with your butt on the saddle?
Axel: I actually borrowed one last year for an event here in town called the ski to sea that I did with my wife as a mixed relay but that’s it.
ST: Anyone help you with the bike fit?
Axel: I actually got sort of bike fitted on a TT bike by Mark Andrews who works at Trek bicycle during our February training camp. Kept the setting for when the bike came over to Canada.
ST: Were you nervous the night before?
Axel: I can’t say I was nervous but I was really wondering about the swim start.
ST: Did you feel pressure from others even though you now compete as an age grouper?
Axel: The only pressure I had was the one I had as a bet I had with a couple athletes on the course. I had to beat Jason Curran out right, which I did, and keep my friend Tod behind me by 55 minutes, which I failed. It was only 51 minutes.
ST: How did the transition setup go?
Axel: I got help from my wife who basically told me what to do. It wasn’t perfect but good enough.
ST: The 31 minute swim is certainly quite solid. Was that roughly what you had expected?
Axel: Yes based on my pool times I was guessing around that time, but really didn’t know how I was going to manage with the mass start in the water.
ST: Glad though to get on your bike?
Axel: Yes, it was great to have that motivation to get out and train for something as somewhat of a goal.
ST: Were you riding with a power meter?
Axel: I did ride with a Quarq power meter but wasn't really aiming at a certain number. It was more by feel and the thought that the run was next.
ST: What kind of numbers did you average on the powermeter?
Axel:. I don't have the file anymore and didn't look at my power average, all I know is that I tried to keep the watts around 350 head wind and 250-300 tail wind
ST: You were first back in transition we assume, or were there different waves?
Axel: I started with the first wave that was the 19 -44 men.
ST: But when you reached T2 you were first?
Axel: Yes I was. I caught the leader on the bike after 40 km of the course.
ST: The top two overall guys ran well in the 1:25 range, but the guy just in front of you ended up about a minute in front of you. Was his pace such where you tried to fight back?
Axel: I actually struggled the last 9 km and really just paced myself to finish. I knew he was going to catch me and that my legs and body were done at that point.
ST: But everyone who caught you was in a different age group. So was that not so bad?
Axel: Oh I know. I was not unhappy with it at all. I just wanted to get it over with at that point if you know what I mean.
ST: Did you have an ice bath post race?
Axel: I didn’t have an ice bath but my friend Jason and I stood in the lake for 10 min to cool them off. It felt great!
ST: So what is next?
Axel: Next is just keeping some fitness for my Granfondo the Valley First Granfondo Axel Merckx on July 7th in Penticton, BC last year I didn’t have a good ride and was not prepared this year should be another story… I am going to Tour the Beauce in between with the Team but that’s it.
ST: Anything else we should know?
Axel: I am glad I did one of those half Ironman and have a lot of respect for anybody going out and to do them at whatever level they perform. It is hard and takes a lot out of you. Whoever invented this sport must be out of his mind…. But I sure had a lot of fun doing it.
ST: Would you do another triathlon?
Axel: I have no plans to do another one at this point. But again I never thought I was going to do one until last December.
ST: Well, we wish you a great GranFondo in Penticton.
Axel: Thank you very much!
