Today we talk with Spencer Smitheman and catch up on what he’s been up to and what his plans are for 2010. We had a few communication delays, so some of the news is a little old, but still good. Enjoy.
SAdamson. I seem to remember you racing with Juventus as a little kid, but then all of a sudden you were at the Junior Road World Championships, the Cyclocross World Championships, then racing on an espoir team in France, then you got on the NOW-MS Society, and now you’re Hagens-Berman… what’s it been like moving around all the time?
Spencer. I’ve actually enjoyed the moving around so far. Of course I enjoy riding with the same riders as you make friendships on every team and it would be nice to stay with a team for longer, but as of right now, forward progress is the goal. It is all about finding opportunities to continue developing and progress in the sport.
SAdamson. How did all those opportunities come about?
Spencer. As a junior I raced in Nice with a French junior team and after a decent ride at Junior Worlds, they helped me find a spot with a high level amateur team, Creusot Cyclisme in central France. It was a great opportunity, especially riding with Jean-Cristophe Peraud who just signed with Omega-Pharma Lotto, but it cracked me a bit as a first year espoir. I decided I would like to try my my luck in the domestic US scene and NOW-MS Society was eager to bring me on. So I spent the 2009 season racing out of LA and while I enjoyed the team and lifestyle, the criterium heavy SoCal cycling calendar didn’t quite suit my abilities. So I noticed Hagens Berman’s program based around NRC and stage race events as well as their history in developing riders into the pro ranks and jumped when the opportunity came to fruition.
SAdamson. So where are you living and training now?
Spencer. Right now I am somewhat homeless, that is I am travelling so much I don’t know where to call home. Right now I am calling Tielt-Winge, Belgium home, but true home is still Devon, AB.
SAdamson. After the National Team camp in Tucson, I saw your name on the list for the Euro campaign… when do you leave? Do you know what races you’re doing?
Spencer. I actually left on Tuesday and have been here in Belgium for a few days now! Our race calender is something I am quite thrilled about. It is based around the three UCI U23 Nations Cups in April – Tour des Flandres U23 in Belgium, La Cote Picarde in France, and ZLM Tour in The Netherlands. The other big race which I am really pumped about is the UCI 1.2 Ronde van Overijssel in Holland at the end of the month. Besides that we’ll race some Belgian National Calendar races and Kermesses.
SAdamson. Where are you basing yourself for most of the season?
Spencer. As I mentioned earlier, I have been all over the place, but for the most part I will be in the Seattle area where Hagens Berman is based.
SAdamson. What races are you doing with Hagens Berman for 2010?
Spencer. Hagens has a great calendar this year. What races I do with them largely depends on the National Team schedule and which projects I am selected for. The team schedule includes Redlands, Tour of Walla Walla, Cherry Blossom Classic, Joe Martin, Mt. Hood, Tour of America`s Dairyland, Cascade Classic, Tour of Utah, Green Mountain Stage Race and Univest.
SAdamson. What were your highlights from 2009?
Spencer. The biggest highlight of last year has to be making the winning break at the National Road Championships, but I also really enjoyed Redlands and Cascade and felt I adapted well to the NRC level.
SAdamson. Where is the national team house in Tielt-Winge? It can’t be that far from where I stayed with Jos the first year I raced cross over there!
Spencer. The national team base is definitely one of the houses you stayed at in Tielt. Jos and Tim are the renters and we have two houses set up here, one for the women’s team and one for the U23.
SAdamson. And you’re slowly working away at school at the UofA? What are you taking? Do you find it hard to pick up and leave for 8 months and then try and get back into the studying habit?
Spencer. Yeah, I tell people I am on the 8 year undergrad schedule. It seems strange to be only half-way through when friends from high school are finishing up. I’m majoring in Linguistics right now; essentially the intricacies and interconnection of language and languages. I actually like the 8 month hiatus because it gives me a chance to focus on one thing at a time and do it wholeheartedly. By the end of the cycling season, I am happy to stimulate my brain, but after a tough semester, I like getting out on the bike for a few hours.
SAdamson. If cycling doesn’t turn into a full-blown career for you what would you like to do? Or maybe a better question is where do you see yourself in 5 years?
Spencer. Cycling is definitely the career I have in mind, but I can see myself working as a journalist. It must be the travel and changing perspective that seems so appealing. I’m only 20, I better still be racing in 5 years!
SAdamson. Haha, ok good. But what do you do when you’re not riding your bike?
Spencer. When I am not riding my bike, I rest like a champion! But honestly I will read, play around on my guitar, watch a movie, and more and more am getting into cooking. I guess it comes with the appetite.
SAdamson. What do you think about while you race?
Spencer. I try to stay in the moment and stay aware of what is going on . Especially as is the case here in Europe, if you start day dreaming, a break will get away without you seeing it or you’ll get caught back in a crosswind section. That said sometimes my mind will wander and in that case the range is rather large.
SAdamson. What’s your favourite quote?
Spencer. “To prepare for a race there is nothing better than a good pheasant, some champagne and a woman.” -Jacques Anquetil
SAdamson. You’ve always seemed to carve your own path, but manage to stay dedicated to it. What advice would you give to any aspiring racers out there?
Spencer. I would advise to find a way to race your bike where it will be the most challenging because that is where you learn the most. That usually means going to Europe. The racing isn’t just fast, but aggressive, technical and extremely tactical. Europe is where you really learn to race your bike.
SAdamson. Is there anywhere that your fans can keep up with your adventures?
Spencer. I have a blog which I update semi-regularly. If you would like to follow me, check it out
SAdamson. Will you come home to Edmonton to race Nationals this year?
Spencer. I have been having dreams of standing on top of the podium at home after racing the roads I ride every day and past the University I attend. So, a very strong YES in response to your question.
Thanks for the interview Shaun!
SAdamson. No, thank you Spencer!!
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