\n\t\t\t\t\t\t[dc]A[\/dc] few days ago, I had the privilege of attending a meet and greet with Jens Voigt at a local NJ bike shop. \u00a0The big, charismatic german, veteran of almost two decades in the peloton, did a Q&A with fans, signed autographs and posed for photos with anyone who asked. \u00a0During the night, he imparted his wisdom gained from the trials and tribulations of racing in Europe, including a few nuggets that I believe are important to share with all of my readers.<\/p>\n

Never forget where you came from:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

It bears saying, that even the best of the best are humble in their beginnings. \u00a0Jens spent more than half his life racing bikes, but he always fondly recalls where he came from. \u00a0He explained how he tried track and field, and was ok\u00a0at athletics,\u00a0but not one of the best. \u00a0He said that he had been annoyed that he couldn't “do any better” (so much so that he joking described a rude gesture to his track and field coach….) \u00a0He continued to explain to us that when the local cycling team came to town, he was allured by the offer of a free bike. \u00a0The rest is, as you all know, history.<\/p>\n

Coincidentally, he always remembers where he came from. \u00a0His first bike was a Diamond. \u00a0That company was purchased by Trek after the fall of the Berlin Wall. \u00a0And he even bought a couple of them for his own boys.<\/p>\n

So take a page from Jens and remember where you came from.<\/p>\n

Never forget who you are and who helped you get there:<\/strong><\/em><\/p>\n

When a question was asked about who was one of the most important parts of his racing career, he described the relationship he has with his wife. \u00a0He described that his career would not have been possible without her devotion and steadfastedness: raising their six children while he was off racing, standing by him throughout all the crashes, the contract negotiations, and the talk of retirement, he painted a picture of the woman behind the man.<\/p>\n

Jens made it abundantly clear that everything he accomplished was not only his doing, but those around him. \u00a0He plainly stated that he would never have been the force that he is if not for those people he surrounded himself with. \u00a0And his message was clear: surround yourself with people who are like minded, who believe in you and will support you through and through. \u00a0And when you succeed, don't forget to thank them for helping you on your way.<\/p>\n

From thanking his sponsors by becoming a brand ambassador to graciously allowing Juan Manuel Garate a win in the 2006 Giro d'Italia after not contributing a single pedal stroke to the breakaway's progress, Jens has been putting this to practice for years. \u00a0And what he said next is why he is so readily able to remember all those that helped him.<\/p>\n

Believe in yourself unconditionally:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Jens pointed out that you have to believe in yourself. \u00a0You have to believe in yourself without hesitation or fail, you have to dream big and you have to go out there and “get what you want”. \u00a0He recounted his horrific crash in the 2010 Tour de France on the descent of the Col due Petit-Saint-Bernard in which he fractured his cheek and sustained a concussion. \u00a0He regaled us with details like German TV announcers predicting he had a 50\/50 chance to survive the night. \u00a0And then he went on to explain how he was determined to return to racing, as strong as he was before.<\/p>\n

And he did return to racing, crashing again in the 2010 Tour, but he maintained his belief in himself.\u00a0To quote Jens that\u00a0massive crash and chase back to the peloton on an ill fitting Mavic service bike: “I've had better days than this. \u00a0But I'm still alive. \u00a0It's better than last year, you see? \u00a0Last year, I was at this time in the race, I was in hospital already. \u00a0 And this time I'm still on my bike. \u00a0Didn't crash on my head, didn't crash on my face, so things could be worse.”<\/p>\n

So be like Jens: believe in yourself and dream big. \u00a0Even if you fail a couple times,\u00a0if you are able to get up and try again, you're doing all right.<\/p>\n

There are no shortcuts:<\/em><\/strong><\/p>\n

Considering that\u00a0in this day in age everyone is looking for a quick buck, a shortcut towards greater fitness or a way to cut the corners to get something done faster, it was said that there are absolutely no shortcuts to your destination. \u00a0If you want to be one of the best, you have to put in the time to get there.<\/p>\n

With a touch of sadness in his voice, Jens recounted the final years of his racing career. \u00a0He conjured up an image of a body that was less willing to suffer, a mind that was less willing to force the body to suffer and a longing to lead a less nomadic life, spending more time with his wife and children.<\/p>\n

He also said there was no such thing as a shortcut when it came to coffee. \u00a0And we all know that Jens loves his coffee.<\/p>\n

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Thank you Jens, for providing a little look into your life and your career. \u00a0You've been an inspiration to many of us through the years, and we look forward to seeing you in a car, guiding the next generation of superstars to countless victories.<\/p>\n

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