Reece-Emerson van Beek of Team Australia

Reece-Emerson van Beek of Australia made his debut at Deaflympics in Melbourne, Australia and won 2 gold medals in Individual Time Trial and the Points Race.

1. How did you get started in cycling?

I first started riding at the age of 3. I have had very good balance when riding the bike. I have always love riding because of the "need for speed" it's fast and the furious. Most of my time i have watch cycling on TV since childhood. But I joined up cycling at the age of 15. Before then I didn't realize there was a club nearby my home, after resigning from playing Football (Australian Rules) and Cricket.

2. What are your past accomplishments and your proudest moment?

2004 was the highest professional accomplishment standard of hard training that i have prepared in advance of the recent 2005 Deaflympic Games. My proudest moment is winning my first Gold in the TT, because I have watched each riders as a Time Trialist and waited for my turn since missing out the 2001 Rome Time Trial.

3. You’ve stated that you are number #1 Deaf Cyclist in the world. Do you feel you need to do well in Road Race which David Cloux of France and Nick Schreiber of USA are heavily favored for the Pescadero Road Race to really stake that kind of claim?

I will do whatever it cost according to my plan in the Road Race in my condition.

4. Many observers have stated that Nick Schreiber of USA is the world’s best deaf cyclist after dominating the professional scene in southwest USA. Do you foresee a rivalry with him during the World Deaf Cycling Championships?

I don't see any rivalry against him nor even any other riders. Because most importantly I'm there. It's my abilities to worry about.

5. There’s been a lot said about the home-field advantage you had at Melbourne and you wouldn’t have it during the World Deaf Cycling Championships in San Francisco, what’s your feeling?

There's no difference of home advantage and competition away from home. I just need to get used to the enviroment.

6. We know you’re good in Time Trials, but how would you categorize yourself as a rider?

Well, I'm up where i am, getting much better than previous Deaflympic Games.

7. Are you training right now for World Deaf Cycling Championships? What is your routine like?

I'm not worry about the WDCC firstly on my list, As I'm focusing on my performance each week till it gets closer to WDCC as according to my plan. I’m training as usual in additional new training will be coming up from specialized coaches.

8. What is it you would like to see Deaf Cycling to be like in few years from now?

Well, I would like to see the UCI is fully recognized by us (Deaf Cyclist) give us an opportunity to join the professional cycling team in Europe or whatsoever. And Also the TD from IDC and UCI to establish a UCI ranking. Because commonly most Hearing people thinks that we can't communicate with them and also they would consider us Disability but they got it wrong. I would also like to see the World Deaf Cycling Championship to be merge with UCI's World Championship for any events, because most World Champ is every year under UCI. While WDCC every 4 years takes too long. IDC can’t really do everything, they are more focus on Deaflympic Games. IDC also shouldn’t take any responsibility on World Championship or other sport event. IDC is just like another organization of example like IOC. So I believe every Deaf Sport should establish under each Sport Organization (Hearing) get better access rather than protesting or asking government for money.