“Impossible is Nothing” – an interview with Germain Burton
Posted November 01, 2011
Sixteen year old Germain Burton is a true rising star of British cycling. Son of three times British track champion Maurice Burton, he already has won the famous Bec hill climb twice - in the latest edition he obliterated a strong field, winning by an amazing 8 seconds. Racing in the colours of Team De Ver, the future really is bright for Germain, a future that one day could see him wearing the most famous yellow jersey of all…
How did you get into cycling?
Really I've been in cycling all my life. I was born into a family with a bike shop (De Ver Cycles) and had a former professional and 3 times British track champion for a dad, so right from the start I was at least riding a bike around where I live in Norbury, London. It was only really in the summer holidays of 2006 when I was 11, that I made a sort of start in cycling. My dad had a tandem that he was riding with my mum, and at the start of the summer, he asked me if I wanted to give it a go, so I did and really enjoyed going out riding, and at the end of the summer, we did the London to Windsor charity ride (that our club - Team De Ver - usually rides every year). Between then and the next summer, I only really rode to and from school, but I gave the tandem another go the following summer and by September I was finally on my own road bike.
When did you realise you had a special talent?
That followed fairly soon after I started riding my own bike. I'd already been riding with the guys in our club while I was on the back of the tandem, but I didn't know how I was going to go on my own bike.
I started going out with the club on Sundays at the start of September 2007 when I was 12 and within two weeks, I was riding away from them on the hills in the North Downs; the only one I couldn't catch really was my dad.
That's when he told me that I had the ability to do really well in cycling, if I really enjoyed it and worked at it, and for me that was enough to tell me that that was what I really wanted to do. I had always done quite well at school, but nothing else really interested or motivated me like cycling.
What is the highlight of your cycling career so far?
It would have to be winning my first National Title at Hog Hill in London (Redbridge Cycling Centre) in 2010. I was a first year U16 and after my 2nd place the year before at Hillingdon as an U14, I was looking for one better. So when I got away with Chris Lawless with under 3 laps to go, and then went away on my own at the bell, it was a nice feeling looking back while riding the last lap and knowing that I had enough of a gap to win. It meant a lot to me, even though it didn't look that way to the spectators when they saw me crossing the line without even celebrating and looking very unexcited about it all! It kicked off a few new things for me as well: my dad finally told me that I was ready to race in Belgium and we started going out there mid-weeks; I started to compete as part of a team in Belgian national races with John Barclay; and I was offered sponsorship by Colnago, Met helmets/Fisher Outdoor, Frankie & Benny's, and Prudential (through the SportsAid charity). So the national title helped a lot and really is the major highlight of my career so far.
I know that your dad has been a massive influence on you - are there any other cyclists that you admire and wish to emulate?
Yeah, my dad is a big inspiration to me. I've been listening to more stories than I can remember since I can remember! Mainly about his career, right from when he started training and racing in the same places that I race and train, through to when he when he was racing with riders such as Eddy Merckx amongst others, as a professional. As well as that, what he overcame during his career to get where he wanted to ultimately go as a track rider - the Six-Days, which he achieved and continued to do for several years. Other than him though, I really admire Philippe Gilbert and Alberto Contador, who no matter what race they're riding, always ride to win, and are spectacular to watch. The way they attack and absolutely blow races to pieces, race after race, is really amazing and inspiring for me.
You have had some brilliant results in hill climbs, what is the particular appeal of the hill climb to you?
Really if I'm honest, what appeals to me is that I do quite well in them.
The pain you feel in a hill climb is close to unbearable, but the hope that I'll do well always helps me grit through the pain and bury myself. But hill climbs are great anyway, they are good fun to be at (once you've finished), and there's always a great atmosphere.
The crowds that turn up, especially at the Bec CC Hill Climb, make it feel really special when you climb the last part of the hill; you only see a tunnel of people and it's like you're riding in the Tour, so all the pain is worth it for the experience (especially if there's £1000 on offer at the top like the Bec!)
What strengths do you think a rider needs to excel on hill climbs?
I think the most important factor is the ability to push yourself to your limit and ride through the pain; I think if you can do that then you should always feel proud when you finish a hill climb. However you've got power:weight ratio, VO2 max and all these other factors that make a good hill climber as well. Other than that, just the usual: good training and nutrition - Neovite Colostrum always helps!
Some people were surprised you didn't go for the National Hill Climb this year, any particular reason why not?
Not really. Me and my dad just thought that the Bec CC Hill Climb was enough this year, and that I would stop racing after that. I might ride it next year, but I'll just have to see how it goes. I've got a lot more on the plate next year than I did this year, so I'll just have to see at the time. But God permitting everything's all right, I'll definitely ride the Bec again next year.
What are your ambitions for next season?
I've got quite a few races in mind that I'm targeting for next year: the Junior National Road (Peter Buckley) Series, the Junior National Road Championships, some UCI & National races in Belgium, the Junior Nations Cup, and the Junior World Championships in the Limburg (Valkenburg, Holland) - hilly country judging by the course profile!
Polka dot or yellow jersey?
As much as I like climbing, I have to say it would have to be the yellow jersey. Nothing would compare to winning the Tour de France. However, if a rider is good enough, as Eddy Merckx was, why not both - impossible is nothing.
What riding will you do over the winter?
The Colnago CX1-Evo goes away for a while and the old steel De Ver winter bike comes out again, for the steady miles to prepare for next season.
Photo from Bec Hill climb by Justin Hoy. From Rollapaluza Urban Hill Climb - http://www.urbanhillclimb.com/
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