INTERVIEW ANDRÁS PARTI
András Parti is a Pro MTB Racer, Three times Olympic athlete, 22x Hungarian Champion. András is ready for his fourth Olympics. Let’s find out his story!
How are you feeling right now?
I am great, thank you so much. I did my job quite well during the training period. In the winter, I spent 2.5 months in Tenerife, where I was able to establish my summer form. Now I still have to accelerate and shake myself back to racing.
How do you start your day?
Mostly with a loose jogging, some gymnastics, and then a big breakfast which is perhaps my favourite meal, plus a delicious coffee before the essential workout.
How many hours do you spend exercising in a day?
It varies, some days I can spend up to 7 hours with training. On rest days I only do 1-2 hours of casual cycling. Weekly I usually get between 18 and 30 hours.
Who is your role model?
I’d say Julien Absalon. I don’t have a „real” role model anyway, but when I got into the “international circulation” he was a big name and he has two Olympic golds.
When did you realise that you are talented in this sport?
I started relatively late, I started my first race at the age of 14. It was a funny idea with my friends. We planned to participate in a race in Nagykovácsi. At that time we still had total crappy bikes, and we weren’t even aware of the categories. Oh and in the end, I was the only one who started from the friend group, but the love has been going on ever since.
What is the best advice you have ever received? What advice would you give for beginners?
To be persistent and never give up! Putting the joke aside, it’s important to enjoy what you do. Training is hard, but if you get the job done, it’s a great experience. Many people forget that resting is just as important as training, in fact, it’s when you actually improve!
How would you describe the “ordinary” András?
I am a calm person who loves freedom and nature. I like to sit down with a good coffee, eat good ones. But I have a hard time sitting at home, I like to come and go.
Do you have a favourite book?
It’s Not About the Bike: My Journey Back to Life by Lance Armstrong and Sally Jenkins. Many people may argue about Lance Armstrong in cycling, but I used to be very motivated by this book.
What is the most memorable thing that happened to you?
My three Olympic participation! Each has a story, and each has a different path and I had lots and lots of fighting, drops of sweats to be there. In MTB, this is especially important, and Hungary is also a very Olympic-centric country, so it affects my feelings. There is always a bigger fire burning in me as the Olympics approach.
What do you do on holidays?
I’m a very active person, and I never spend the whole day in bed. A loosemoving bike ride is also common on the days of rest, but on these days I try to take care of things, do gardening, etc. I probably like fishing the best at this time or hiking.
You have competed around the world. Which venue was the best and the craziest?
Two locations come to my mind, South Africa and the Czech Republic, Nove Mesto. South Africa was very exciting and interesting due to the rough track and conditions. Nove Mesto was a very enjoyable, spectacular track with an extremely crazy atmosphere.
Do you remember your first professional race?
It was my first world championship in 2002 in Kaprun (Austria).
How did it feel?
It was the second foreign race of my life, it was huge and maybe a little scary to jump one level at a time after the domestic races. Plus, the weather was pretty bad.
What has been the most surprising moment of your career so far?
When I found out I could be there for my first Olympics in 2008. We were manoeuvring right on the border, but not all countries used all their places, and due to other rules a few places went further. It was a touching and tearful moment.
And the most memorable?
When I got to the finish line at the
2008 Beijing Olympics. I was endlessly exhausted and managed to properly exceed my initial expectations compared to my stamina at the time. My result was 23rd place, which was a very big achievement for me and I knew it was the result of a lot of hard work.
Why did you choose this sport?
A little maybe the sport has chosen me. Actually, it just turned out this way. My cousins lived relatively far from us, on the other side of town, next to the mountains, and a couple of my friends and I decided to visit them on bikes. It did happen, it was a full day tour (it’s now about 1.5 hours back and forth for me) and we really enjoyed it and then we ventured farther and farther, realising what a great sport it is.
What was the biggest challenge when you started your career?
I’m not really from a wealthy family, so having my bike at the right level was a big task. My mother tried to do everything she could to improve my bike, but even so, I raced a much weaker, worse bike than my competitors. But I think that’s what really taught me to fight.
Is there any “ritual” you perform before races (a typical practice, music, or a specific dish)?
Yes, mostly in the area of eating. I used to eat an “Andris porridge” 3 hours before the start, which I used to weigh and put together the night before.
You had an accident at the London Olympics. How did you come through the situation? What helped you to recover spiritually and continue your career?
I used to joke about this, I was at three Olympics, but I only remember for two. Since I collected a cerebral haemorrhage there, I fainted, I don’t remember anything. It helped me a lot to move on and my motivation was in the heavens afterward. I had to prove to myself and others too! Interestingly, my next year was perhaps the most successful year of my career.
What is your favourite part of a workout?
I enjoy the second half of the workout the most, I need a lot of time to warm up.
Talent or practice?
Practice! We also need talent, but we can’t get far without persistent practice and training.
What inspire you the most?
To always get better and better, move on to my previous boundaries, defeat myself, and of course now the Fourth Olympics!
Can you tell us about your future plans?
I’m not a young chicken anymore, so I’m near to the end of my career. I’ve been involved in this sport for 24 years, and this is my job and my passion, so I want
to stay within the sport, maybe pass on my knowledge to the younger generation. I’m already coaching anyway. Besides, I’m very interested in gastronomy, so I have plans on this line as well. It’s even available under my “own coffee” collaboration with Coffeeb, which is also one of my passions. #koffeinparti
I’ve seen you made a couple of vlogs, and one of your passions is cooking.
Yes, I started making vlogs in Tenerife in the winter. Although nowadays, since I’ve been home I have less time, unfortunately. But really, gastronomy plays an important role in my life, I love to cook, and a good meal can be a bit of a reward if I did the workout well. Healthy eating all is important to me, so I started cooking for myself.
Are you tied to your racing bikes?
I am always best connected to my actual bike as we spend a lot of meaningful time together.
Please introduce this „beast” who will be your partner during the Olympics.
It’s a Trek Supercaliber with Fox Float 32 forks. Shimano XTR brakes and transmission support this beast. Supplemented by Bontrager Kove XXX wheels and accessories along with Ceramicspeed bearings plus a JBG ultra-light dropper. There isn’t much compromise on the bike.
What is your favourite part of preparing for this Olympics?
Basically, my life can be quite diverse, so sometimes I have to be very careful to have enough focus on the sport. However, as the Olympics approach, I try to let go of everything else so the focus is only on the racing, I love this period, especially the last training camp before the race where this extra fire burns in me.
How would you describe the feeling of the Olympics?
Well, the air is buzzing at the start. Everyone is very tense as it should be. In the time of the race, you can feel this extraordinary ecstasy and when you reach the finish line is also something spectacular. It’s a catharsis. During the Olympics, a whole different kind of fire burns in every person’s heart.
This will be your fourth participation. It’s so exciting. The entire BIKE Magazine team will follow the events and support you and hopefully you will be at the Top20. We wish you so much success!