The Cycling World Championships are more than just a showdown between the world's greatest cyclists - they also set the stage for some beautiful stories that you won't encounter in regular races. The so-called lesser countries also get the opportunity to compete against the global elite, even though in many cases that results in an unequal battle. Nevertheless, it's these participants who often return home with the most compelling stories.
Those who searched the start list of the Time Trial World Championships will have discovered a striking name on the list: first name Kluivert, last name Mitchel, hailing from the exotic Saint Lucia. IDLProCycling.com decided to casually get acquainted with the man from the Caribbean Islands.
Mitchel, who eventually finished 67th out of the 77 riders in Stirling, thus staying ahead of riders from countries such as Guinea, Eswatini, Guam, and Afghanistan, looks somewhat surprised when he hears his name in the mixed zone. 'Journalists from the Netherlands and Spain, what would they want to know about me?', he almost seems to think."
The realization sets in quickly when we ask him about the origin of his first name. "Indeed, my father named me after that famous footballer," he confirms when asked if it has something to do with Patrick Kluivert, former striker for the Netherlands, Barcelona, and Ajax. "I can pronounce the name myself, yes, haha. My father was a big fan of his when he played for Barcelona, but I don't know the exact story. I like the name; I know three other people who have it."
The man from Saint Lucia, an island of 606 km² and 166,487 inhabitants according to Wikipedia, seems somewhat shy during our conversation. It's his first time at the World Championships, and that experience here in Stirling, Scotland - best known from the movie Braveheart - is clearly leaving an impression. "This was a fantastic experience, even if I perhaps wasn't at my best in terms of preparation. I came here to improve," he says softly.
His coach, who isn't from the island, chimes in. "Ten years ago, I spent three months in Saint Lucia on behalf of the UCI, but it's challenging. The roads there aren't great, and it's always hot. If you want to cycle decently, you should really be out the door by four in the morning. This way, you're back before the sun rises and before the traffic hits the roads.'"
"There are some steep hills," the man continues. "Saint Lucia is known for the Pitons, volcanic rocks that make the island more mountainous than other Caribbean islands. However, there isn't a lot of cycling going on there. Cricket is the more popular sport on the island." Mitchel nods in agreement with his coach. "I've been cycling for six years, but this is my biggest race yet."
"Peter Sagan has always been my biggest idol, but at the moment, I don't really have any riders I'm a fan of," the man with the unique first name tells us. Will we see him again next year in Zürich, where the next edition of the World Championships will be held? "I'm not sure, but I hope so." His coach adds, "We'll work hard to improve his performance." And off goes Kluivert, ready for a long journey back home.