It’s all about friendship

Racing in Assen is not only about racing, it’s also about meeting new people and seeing old friends again. Elmar, Oscar and Mats live in two different countries but have become great friends through their shared love of the bike that started here in Assen.

“I saw this boy and thought he would be nice,” says Dutchman Mats Traksel who turns 12 in August. “So I went up to him and said hi. He taught me some English words but I also had learned English in school already which was great so we could talk. I can even write in English without looking at google translate too much,” he adds proudly.

That boy was Oscar Northover, from Kent, who is 12. They speak different languages but they had a connection straight away. “He showed me his camper van and I met his parents and sister. My parents and his parents are now also friends,” Oscar adds.

The third musketeer in this group is Elmar Streule from London, the oldest of the two since he was born in January of 2014. He is also the tallest. He joined the group in Assen one year later after Oscar’s dad told Elmar’s dad about this event.

“I already knew Oscar from racing in the UK,” Elmar explains. “We live two hours apart on but we race a lot together.” Oscar chimes in: “I think I met Elmar when he was nine and I won a mountain bike race. He came over to congratulate me and we have been friends ever since.”

There is always a lot of complaining about young people being rude and having no manners but these three young men are well-spoken and very polite but that is not always the case in races when they are all super driven and motivated to do their best.

“In races you are always rivals,” says Oscar with a smile. “Oscar is a bit more technical in cyclocross than me but it’s very close between us. The small differences in the races then make the difference,” Elmar adds. “In the race you race against them but after the race you are friends. I really like that about cycling together,” says Mats.

The biggest difference between the boys is height. Elmar is the tallest and Oscar the smallest but Elmar has some toughts about that. “On the road it’s about who is bigger and stronger so you should eat your veggies.” “Ah that’s not me,” Oscar laughs.

But Elmar who is remarkably wise beyond his 12 years adds some wisdom. “I think Oscar needs to be patient with himself. He will grow. We just don’t all grow at the same rate. I am sure he will catch up with me again.”

The boys talk about cycling a lot: road, cross and mountainbikes. As long as it’s two wheels and pedal-powered they are in. In the UK there are no championships for the younger kids but Elmar and Oscar race against each other all the time. Mats won silver, gold and bronze in all three disciplines at te Dutch championships so you will spot him in the red-white-blue jersey this week in category 5.

One week a year appeared not to be enough so after Assen, parents were on the phone and Mats travelled to the UK for a cyclocross race. “We went by train. I had never been there so that was really cool. Elmar’s dad invited us and we stayed at Oscar’s house. We even went to Londen so I am happy with friends like them.” The Northovers also travelled to Belgium and the Netherlands to race with Mats and meet up making the bond stronger every year.

The boys are equally strong in Assen with Oscar being third on the VAM-berg, Elmar fifth and Mats tenth. In the time trial they also all finished in the top ten again. I ask Oscar if he has some tips for Mats. He has to think long and hard but says: “Maybe Mats should go to bed a bit sooner because sleep is important. Assen is an important race for us.”

Mats on the other hand advised Oscar to be a bit less worried about what people think of him. “He is a great guy and he should know that. On the VAM he rode his first podium this year and I was super happy for him, but everyone was. Everyone likes Oscar. I hope he knows that.”

Elmar chimes in and brings his wisdom again. “If we all are ten years older and maybe turn pro on the same team and make life hard for our DS, we look back at this week and see it all went by in the blink of an eye. Smetimes you feel annoyed in the races and take it very seriously but seriousness is for later. This week is about having fun and about being with friends and laugh together. That’s just the best thing ever.”

We wish Elmar, Oscar and Mats many happy years of racing, swimming, travelling and having fun together, both on and off the bike. Good luck for the rest of the week in Assen.