Charles-Étienne Chrétien
Set on new cycling targets
Charles-étienne Chrétien was off to a scorching start for 2020. Back in February, he finished 12th overall at the Jayco Herald Sun Tour, the fivestage, 2.1-rated race in Australia’s state of Victoria. The 21-year-old rider on Aevolo Cycling was the top Canadian at the event and third in the young rider’s classification. Now, with most of professional cycling on pause, Chrétien is taking time to train for 2021 and enjoy his other passion, hunting.
What was it like growing up in a small town like Amos, Que.?
I grew up hunting a lot. I also fish, and used to trap when I was younger. In high school on the weekends, I built a cabin. In the winter, I would go out and trap, then sell the furs. For me, I never miss hunting season. Usually right after worlds, I go for a month. I’m mainly an outdoors guy.
What is it about the outdoors that appeals to you?
A lot of it is staying connected with my family and friends. That’s really important to me. When you’re spending days outside tracking and hunting, you’re also alone with your thoughts and it’s peaceful. My racing schedule means I’m typically away from home nine or more months each year. It’s nice to unplug after a hectic season of racing, travelling, training and crashing.
You were raised as part of the Montagnais or Innu of Lac-st-jean, a band of Indiginous peoples within Quebec. How is that part of your identity?
Typically, we’re respectful of nature and animals. If we’re hunting animals, we’re using the entire animal, for food, fur, everything. It’s part of the reason I’m not hunting a lot these days; I’m not at home enough to use it or eat it.
What’s your favourite type of hunting?
Definitely moose hunting in October with my dad and my brother. There’s always a small stressful moment when you’re tracking one down. But it’s a beautiful animal when you’re up close.
Wow, how do you transport a moose?
Sometimes I’ll take my gravel bike hunting if I’m just coming back with a couple of birds. But for something as big as a moose, you need a trailer hooked up to an atv. It needs to be cut up into four sections to fit.
I guess that means you don’t have to go to the grocery store?
I never buy meat. I don’t remember the last time I bought meat. I eat everything I hunt.
What has it been like racing for
Mike Creed and the under-23focused Aevolo team?
I’m really happy to be on Aevolo. We had a great start to the season and I’m excited to give it another shot next year, my last year of under-23. We only had our team camp then the Herald Sun Tour in Australia before everything was cancelled. That being said, I felt confident about my result, and felt good about how the team was managed. Director Mike Creed is pretty chill. He doesn’t seem to get stressed easily. He listens to the guys’ problems, and is really comprehensive. So far I like him a lot.
“Sometimes I’ll take my gravel bike hunting if I’m just coming back with a couple of birds.”
What are your goals for 2021?
I’m going to work on my time trial skills and target stage races going forward. I have to talk to my coach about specifics, but I’m definitely going to put in a big winter of training, and be as ready as possible for next season.