In this strange sports year, several Belgian top athletes said goodbye to their lives as Prof. Sporza surveyed 5 athletes about what their lives look like now. Today the penultimate part in our series “retired athletes”: piste and speed specialist Moreno De Pauw.
- name: Moreno De Pauw
- age: 29
- sport: track cycling
- Highlight: Ghent Six Days 2017
- last game: Six Days of Berlin (28/01/2020)
- his future: police officer
What has changed in your life?
“In June I started the police officer training”, says Moreno De Pauw. “It will take 1 year.”
“Just like in the sports world, the corona virus throws a spanner in the works. We now mainly get a lot of theory on our plate during online lessons.”
“When the curve has dropped sufficiently, we get practical lessons and we can, for example, start guiding traffic. I look forward to that, because physically I already meet all the requirements of a fit agent.”
Last year Moreno De Pauw drove his last Ghent Six Days.
Do you still exercise?
“Yes, that was also the advice of my caretaker Etienne Ilegems”, answers Moreno De Pauw. “It is unhealthy to stop moving from one day to the next. That is not good for your heart,” says the former pistier.
De Pauw no longer cycles around cycling. “I’m now walking in circles”, he laughs. “I start at home and jog 5 to 10 kilometers. With pleasure, by the way, because I need that exercise.”
“After I finished it at the beginning of this year, I gained 3 or 4 kilograms”, De Pauw continues.
“I don’t have to pay too much attention to it anymore. I can already have chips or a pizza without feeling guilty.”
I no longer cycle laps, I walk them now.
Do you miss the course?
Moreno De Pauw: “No, actually not. I was ready for something else.”
“Only last week I got on my road bike again. I had already gone mountain biking with my former teammate Fabio Van den Bossche.”
“If I miss something, it’s the Ghent Six Days. Then it tickles again”, says De Pauw. “It’s nice to be reminded of that this week. I have achieved podiums at European and World championships, but the atmosphere in the Kuipke is something special.”
De Pauw has won several six days, with the highlight of Ghent in 2017. He flew over the slopes together with Kenny De Ketele.
As a speed specialist, the track record (8 “43) and the record over 500 meters (26” 59) are still to his name.
If I miss something, it is the Ghent Six Days.
VIDEO: Moreno De Pauw improves track record Kuipke (8 “43)
What does your future look like?
“Next year I want to graduate as a police officer. Normally that will be at the end of May”, hopes Moreno De Pauw, who is following the battle for the fastest lap in the Kuipke this week with great attention.
“The participants have to get themselves going, so I don’t see anyone finishing under 9 seconds”, says the expert. “Jules Hesters finished closest to me last year. That’s why I put him forward as the favorite.”
“I’m not saying I would beat him, but technically I still have a good lap in my legs. But then I have to cycle more again”, laughs De Pauw.
