Zach Bell ready to take on track worlds

Zach Bell has already had his best-ever track season — and the most important event still hasn’t happened.

The 28-year-old former wrestler from the Yukon, who now lives in North Vancouver, won the World Cup overall in the relatively new omnium discipline, which will be making its Olympic debut in London in 2012.

Bell is now in The Netherlands preparing for the UCI Track World Championships, which will be held in Apeldoorn from March 23 to 27. After that, he’ll be racing on the road with the Team SpiderTech p/b C10 squad managed by Steve Bauer before shifting focus to the track again in the fall.

He took the time this week to answer some questions about his progression on the track, his upcoming road season and his future in the sport.

Q. This track season has been your best yet, culminating with the World Cup title. This is on top of five years of remarkable progression for you, not to mention developing from a points racer to an omnium rider. What have been the key factors that have helped you to reach your current level?

A. The single most important factor in my progression has been the work done initially by [national track head coach] Richard Wooles and now the work being done by the him and the group of staff and sponsors he has brought together. As we move forward he continues to push the program towards where it needs to be to make Canadian track cycling truly world class. The partnerships and co-operative groups that are evolving at the CCA under his guidance are creating a training environment where we can finally be competitive. There is still a LONG way to go but if we can continue to grow things like the support from the integrated service [sport science] team and facility access like what we are enjoying in Los Angeles, Canadian track cycling will see all our athletes rise to a higher level.

Q. The worlds are typically a little more intense than the World Cups. What have you done to prepare, who do you expect to be your key rivals in the omnium to be and how do you expect to do?

A. For me every year has been about learning the training process. In years past the worlds prep has always been compromised by one thing or another. This year Steve [Bauer] and SpiderTech have given me more freedom to do what I think will best prepare me. I am not sure if the training has been exactly what I need and I will not know till after racing is over. I do feel more confident about the preparation than that of years past. Worlds will also be a little different this year since many of the athletes are still learning the event. I don’t expect any breakout performances and think New Zealand, Great Britain, Germany, Colombia and The Netherlands all have demonstrated they have riders who can perform. But with everyone learning the event there is always a chance others may rise to the occasion. For me the omnium is so much about focusing on personal performance. I have to train to get the most out of my system that I can. If I can do that I know I will be competitive.

Q. You’re on track to qualify for the Olympics. Once the worlds are done, how will you go about preparing for London 2012?

A. This is an answer that is constantly evolving with the event. A quality road program with SpiderTech this summer will hopefully help bring my riding to a new level. As for next year, that is something that will be determined after we asses the standings after worlds.

Q. I expect you’ve been close contact with your SpiderTech p/b C10 teammates, most of whom are racing in Europe right now. When do you expect to first line up as a SpiderTech rider, and what are your key objectives on the road this year?

A. I will join them in France after worlds. At that time I will have some time to find some road legs and Steve and [assistant team director] Kevin [Field] will put me into races where they feel I can be of greatest help. I don’t have any specific goals on the road as of yet and this is probably a question better answered by Steve. Obviously my time trial and sprint will be an asset to the team … how it plays out in the team structure will develop naturally.

Q. Now that Olympic track qualification is over multiple seasons, it’s harder for big-name roadies to just swoop in for the Olympic year and try to pick up a medal. It’s also means guys like you have to choose between disciplines. After 2012, will your focus be on track or on the road, and why?

A. I am open to all options after the games. I would be lying if I said I was not keen to explore where I could go focused on the road. But honestly I have not given much thought to riding beyond 2012. I know I want to continue to ride after the games and that is about all I know right now. I believe SpiderTech will continue to grow which means my road riding will have to grow with them if I want to be involved. For now it is all about the Olympics. When that path has reached its end I will reassess my direction in the sport. It may mean road or track or a new balance of both but we will cross that bridge when it comes.