THALIA KRAUTH-IBARZ’S UNEXPECTED EXPERIENCE

Thalia Krauth-Ibarz took part in RBC Training Ground last November, wearing her INS Québec physical trainer hat. Thalia, who works with the Québec parahockey team, had no idea what she would experience during the day.

Thalia, who has been playing soccer since she was a child, and who also played for the McGill University Martlets, decided to play along and take the tests with the other athletes. A decision she won’t regret at all.  

“I went to the camp to help the athletes warm up during the day. One of my colleagues told me that I should take part too, given that my age was eligible. At first, I didn’t want to, but in the end, I decided to join the last group of the day”, says Thalia Krauth-Ibarz.  

It was in this way that Thalia caught the eye of the track cycling coaches among the more than 2,200 participants in the regional events. After participating in the RBC Training Ground event in Montréal, she was among the top 100 athletes in the country to qualify for the finals. The final consists of another day of several physical tests. As a result of the national final, Thalia was chosen to be part of the program, which aims to support 30 athletes a year, to help them pursue their Olympic dream. Future Olympians receive mentoring and funding to cover fees related to travel, competition and nutrition, among other things. 

“I spoke with a track cycling coach who was there. There were various speed, strength and endurance tests, for example. I think I stood out for my power, which is important for the sprint disciplines in track cycling, and that’s probably why I was noticed,” she added. 

The former track and field athlete loves her experience so far in track cycling, a sport she didn’t know much about before. 

“I had a road bike before, just for fun, but I knew almost nothing about cycling. A month after the camp, I took part in an initiation day and that’s when it really started. I’ve been at the Bromont velodrome an average of three times a week since the RBC Training Ground event and I love it!” she mentions. 

Thalia really got her baptism of fire in her new discipline at the Canadian Championships held in Milton, Ontario, in January. The 24-year-old shone in the team sprint, where she took second place on the podium with teammates Emy Savard and Erin Watchman. She finished fifth in the time trial, sixth in the individual sprint and ninth in the keirin.  

“I had two local competitions in Bromont and then there were the Canadian Championships. That took me out of my comfort zone, and let’s just say it’s a big deal to start with a national competition. It was a bit impressive to find myself with such good athletes who’ve been doing the sport for a long time. I didn’t know what this kind of competition was like, but it’s good preparation for what’s to come.”  

Training with Yannik Morin, the coach who has accompanied many athletes, including Olympic medallist Lauriane Genest, Thalia Krauth-Ibarz is now keen to see where this new adventure can take her.  

“I want to go as far as I can in this sport! I feel I’m in good hands with Yannik because we have similar backgrounds. He changed sport quite late in his career to become a cyclist. I want to take it easy, because there are some great things coming up, starting with the Québec Championships at the end of February in Bromont”, she explained.  

In addition to the support of the various supervisors at the RBC Training Grounds events and her track cycling coaches, Thalia also says that the openness shown by INS Québec has been extremely important in her new challenge, noting in particular the invaluable support of Alain Delorme, Lead of Strength and Conditioning, and François Bieuzen, Director of Sport Sciences, who play an important role in her success.  

“They have always supported me in my various projects. Whether at the sporting or academic level, INS Québec encouraged me and saw the positive in my work with high-level athletes. I never felt I was being put on the back foot. Everyone has always encouraged me, and that really, really makes a difference,” she concludes.  

For those who want to give it a try, RBC Training Ground will make three stops in Québec in 2024:  

– Montréal, February 18
– Sherbrooke, March 24
– Quebec City, April 14  

To register or for more information, visit rbctrainingground.ca.