Alex Harvey (Can) celebrates his bronze in the 50km classic in Trondheim, Norway. ©Phil Bowen file photo
Harvey in action at Whistler World Cup... ©Heinz Ruckemann file photo
On the podium in Trondheim, Norway. ©Phil Bowen file photo
Alex Harvey (Can) Devinci ©courtesy of Bromont MTB
Alex Harvey (Can) ©Heinz Ruckemann file photo
What was your childhood like growing up with such a famous father as your Dad, Pierre?
Alex Harvey: I have to say that I didn’t realize any big difference until I went to the Quebec games, in Rimouski, the hometown of both of my parents. Every journalist there wanted to have an interview with me, I was 12-years-old and it was quite the shock for me!
Do you seek racing guidance from your Dad and your Mom?
AH: Not really. They might give me a tip or two before I’d leave for a trip but not much more. My mom is also the doctor of my training center in Quebec City.
Do you think genetics plays a big part in your desire to achieve and in the hard work you do while training and racing?
AH: I believe that you need genetics to reach the level I am at right now, but that is only a “level” of performance. To win, you have to train hard but more importantly you need to train the smartest in the world.
What do you think helped you make such a huge jump last season?
AH: I had surgery last spring as I had a problem with an artery in my left leg. During the winter of 2007-08 I was not able to push to the limit of my left leg at a single race without it hurting like crazy while the rest of my body was still fine.
Some have said you have a tendency to start the season a little more slowly and build to greatness later in the year. Do you think that’s an accurate assessment?
AH: Absolutely. I like training and I train a lot. I need a bit more time to absorb that load than the guy who is 26-years-old. Every year, I’m able to start the season a bit better.
Did you think you were ready for your great results of last season?
AH: I didn’t think they would happen so fast but I believed they would happen one day, so yes, I was ready.
Your race in the 50km classic in Trondheim where you finished third was extraordinary. You kind of blew that race wide open for a while – what was that experience like?
AH: I wanted to shake things up a little. There were still 30 guys in a huge pack and I knew that the top guys out there were not going very hard. I thought that if I went to the front, some of the stronger guys would start pushing harder than they would like and the pack would thin down a little. That’s exactly what happened.
You know that your Dad did the same thing years ago in mass start in Italy – did you ever talk about that?
AH: [Laughs] I did not know about that!
You spent the summer training in Canmore, how did it go?
AH: It was the 5th year I went to Canmore for a training camp. This time, I spent six weeks through June and July out west. It was good to train every day, for such an extended period, with all the guys there. Spirits were very high in the men’s group and we’re still carrying last year’s momentum.
How many hours do you train now per year?
AH: About 750-800
How has your training changed for this Olympic year?
AH: I did not change a single thing other than starting to do hard intensity three weeks earlier than in previous years. Last year I hit my top form at the very end of the season so hopefully, this will make me ski that fast about three weeks or so before that.
I heard you like Cuba, too…. but perhaps for a different reason?
AH: Yes I went there last spring with five of my buddies. It was nice to go there for a week, not think about much, and enjoy the beach, the sun at the all-inclusive resort.
With all of the hard training you do as a top level athlete, do you think that it’s equally important to relax and enjoy life, as well?
AH: Oh yeah. I have to thank all of my friends for their amazing ability to entertain me. They basically call me every day to do something, I obviously can’t say yes too often but when I do, I’m never disappointed!
Let’s talk Olympics – what are you hoping for and what would satisfy you?
AH: I want to reach my top form in February. Period. I know that in top form, I’m a medal contender.
You have a long career still ahead of you?
AH: Yes.
What’s the best part of having the Games at home – is it all pluses or is there a downside?
AH: I would say all pluses. More money is invested here and there’s more attention to all amateur sport. Some might say that there’s additional pressure and I agree with them, but I never saw pressure as a downside. Well managed, pressure makes me step my game up.
What’s your greatest strength?
AH: I would say my mental approach.
As good as you are what do you feel you still need to work on?
AH: Climbing up steep hills. I need to shorten my stride and use less power but at a higher cadence. It might seem easy when I say it but that’s basically what I am not doing as well as I’d like!
Many people love Mont Ste-Anne, Quebec, the area where you grew up – renowned for skiing and mountain biking. What was it like there growing up?
AH: All of your neighbours are either Nordic skiers, alpine skiers, hikers, cyclists or snowboarders. People like to be outside, a lot! I cross the little street in front of my house, I put my skis on, and off I go. In the summer and the fall, I can roller ski from home, run or mountain bike on the ski trails, and ride on amazing roads. After a workout, I can head right into my house, within 10 minutes and shower and eat, I don’t have to prepare a lunch or bring an extra set of clothes, so it makes for a much better recovery.
You were also an outstanding mountain biker – was there ever a point you thought you would choose one over the other?
AH: It came naturally. I was going into the senior category in cycling and that winter I won two bronze medals at Junior Nordic Worlds. I’m a perfectionist so when I had that thought in my head that, next year, I was going to try to become a world champion, the decision was made.
Can you tell us some personal things about yourself?
AH: I don’t like ketchup or mayonnaise! More seriously, I’m a normal teenager/young adult, who likes to have a good time. The only books I read are law books. I have an earring and I love German cars.
What’s your diet like – do you ever eat junk food?
AH: Lots of crabs, proteins and veggies! I’m super bad with chocolate and chips. Any time those things are around me, they won’t last long!
Are still going to Laval University part time? Is it proving to be good for your skiing?
AH: Yes, I am currently taking two law courses at Laval. Things are good. I like to keep myself busy with other things than skiing. I get to meet totally different people. I’m lucky that the director of program at the Law Faculty is supporting me 100%. Even when I’m away, on trips, I still open my books, even if it’s only for half an hour. It makes me think about different things for a while.
What are you reading these days?
AH: Droit constitutionnel, 5th edition, from Henri Brun, Guy Tremblay and Eugénie Brouillet.
And what are you listening to on the iPod?
AH: Anything from Common, The Blue Print from Jay-Z and some weird stuff that my girlfriend just put on it.
You have many talents but what is one talent you’d like to have that you don’t?
AH: Anything that requires good hand-eye coordination I am full-on klutz… and I wish I were a better hockey player too.
Going into this Olympic season what is your current frame of mind?
AH: I am the young under-dog.
Besides skiing, what is your idea of a perfect day?
AH: Wake up at 9:30am without the alarm. Eat breakfast on the patio, the air is fresh and crispy, it’s probably September 7th. It warms-up during the morning so I go for a sweet bike ride. Come home, have a quick lunch and probably a nap. In the afternoon, my friends start to arrive at my house; we have a great dinner followed by a night in town. Next morning I wake up, and say: Well, that was a nice birthday!