Rémi Lemieux, a professional BMX racer, has been riding since the age of five and now proudly serves as a sports ambassador for the CNCB. Originally from Granby, he grew up on this track, which saw him evolve, fall, bounce back, and become one of the closest and most accessible role models for the region's next generation. In this interview, he looks back on his career, his challenges, his motivations, and his vision for the future with the same authenticity he brings to the gate before every race.

Get to know him

1. How did you get into cycling?

I discovered BMX racing when I was five years old. Originally, I wanted to do motocross, but my mother always told me I had to learn to ride a two-wheeled bike first. She signed me up for BMX and I've never stopped since. I've never even done motocross either. I love it as much as I did when I started, for other reasons, but this sport has always been fun for me.

2. What brought you to the CNCB?

Since I live right next door, it was the closest club, and here in Bromont, there's a great BMX track that has evolved over the years. I saw it when it first started. We have really nice facilities and, honestly, it's one of the best places to train for BMX racing. That's why I came to the CNCB.

3. Are you a member of the CNCB-Bolt Club?

Yes. I was with the club when it was called the Bromont BMX Club, and it became BOLT within the last five years. It has always been a very good club, very inclusive, and full of great people.

4. What do you find unique about the CNCB?

You can find all cycling sports in one place. There are mountain bikers, road cyclists, velodrome cyclists, BMX riders, and dirt jumpers. We're all here for the same reason: we love cycling. It's a place that brings all sports together in one place, even more so since the indoor velodrome was built. You can train with all kinds of people, which is what's so nice about it.

Rémi Lemieux; The Athlete

5. What is a typical training session in your discipline like?

Everything outside of cycling involves working hard on our explosiveness and power. We ride for 40 seconds at 100%. You have to be agile, because it's not just about power. So we work a lot on our explosiveness, everything related to box jumps and those kinds of movements. After that, it's about doing squats, building strength, and getting in shape. Then, on the bike, we practice our starts a lot, since that's a decisive move during the race. It determines about 75% of your race. After that, we work on other technical aspects, like being comfortable on the bike and being able to do what we want on the pumptrack.

6. What is your favorite moment during a competition?

Definitely when I'm on the gate. You don't think about anything except your race. Not everyone likes that feeling of having a blank mind and just being focused. Otherwise, making it to the finals in a race is always a good feeling. Of course, winning is also a good feeling, especially in big races. It's an explosion of emotions because you work so hard for those results that when it happens, whether you win or lose, you know you gave it your all, and that's what matters.

7. What is your pre-race routine?

Depending on the race, whether we're running in the morning, afternoon, or throughout the day, I have different rituals. Right before my race, I like to take deep breaths to calm myself down, and after that, I stretch. Before I head to the gate, I tap myself on the head to wake myself up. It's a little ritual, but by doing it over and over, you know that when you get to the gate, you're ready and you know what works for you.

8. Who is the person in your sport who inspires you?

Someone I looked up to a lot when I was younger was an Olympic BMX athlete named Connor Fields. He has stopped racing. He now does more social media and interviews on the American side. I've always liked his way of thinking and his riding style. He's an excellent rider, and he still inspires me to this day. There's also Izaac Kennedy, an Australian who is very strong in our sport. I think they're good role models, and they're not that old. Izaac is still competing in Olympic finals, which I find pretty impressive. I try to look at the top, but at our level, we're close to their age, so it's normal that we have a little less idols.

9. What's your favorite snack before a race?

I have a pre-workout sponsor based on maple syrup made in Quebec called Dust. It energizes me, and with the beta-alanine in it, it blocks all the lactic acid. When I train and consume the gel, I really feel less tired. That's definitely my favorite snack before a race, otherwise coffee too: I prefer it to energy drinks. I like to eat peanuts after a workout, or Sour Patch Kids before races.

10. What does being an ambassador at CNCB mean to you?

It means giving back to the next generation. We are often role models for younger people. I also coach at the club [CNCB Bolt] as a substitute, so I see young people growing up, and some of them see me as the best rider in the world. I know I'm not the best, but to them, I'm a role model. So being an ambassador means giving back to the community and passing on our passion to younger people.

11. How does feeling like an inspiration motivate you?

It's a motivation, but I also pay attention to how I come across so that I'm a good example. There are a lot of people who express frustration after a race. I always try to keep my head up and not react in a cold way. What happens in a race happens in a race, and afterwards, we shouldn't dwell on our fate. I try to be a good example, and I like to feel that I inspire people to perform. It's definitely a motivation for me.

12. How can young people get started in BMX racing?

Try the sport recreationally. You don't need to get into competitive racing in your first year. You can ride BMX bikes, whether competitively or not, the important thing is to have fun on your bike. It's also a way to express yourself through your bike. Everyone has their own style; no one rides the same way. As long as you enjoy riding your bike, you should do it. That's what kept me going; otherwise, I wouldn't do it anymore.

The highs... and the lows

13. Have you ever had a particularly difficult or disappointing race, and how did you recover from it?

Recently, during the Canadian championships, I didn't get the results I was hoping for. After training all winter, I fell at the start of the season during a race in the States. I broke my radius and suffered a concussion. I had time to recover at the start of the season, but the mental aspect was more difficult. After that, I fell again two weeks before the Canadian Championships and sprained my thumb. I had constant pain when riding my bike. As soon as I had an impact, it caused me a lot of pain in my hand. I didn't make it to the finals for the first time in a long time at the Canadian championships. It was still frustrating, since I know I'm capable of being in at least the top eight. It demotivated me a little at one point. I didn't know if I still wanted to race. I told myself that it was just one of many obstacles and that there would be ups and downs. I still have the same passion and I've rediscovered the joy of riding my bike without hurting myself, because when you ride with pain, it feels more like a chore than a pleasure. I turned it back into a pleasure and started to enjoy the sport again.

14. Let's say a young person faces the same obstacle. What advice would you give them?

Don't just see the negative side. It's a risky sport, so you have to understand that you're doing it for fun. Some people do it for work, but if you don't enjoy it, don't do it. Everyone faces the same risk when riding on a track: whether you get hurt or not, you have to ask yourself if you really want to continue doing it. If so, take it day by day, and wait until you're 100% ready to ride. If you ride at 50% or 80% knowing that you're in pain, you know you won't enjoy what you're doing. I think taking the time to recover properly and then getting back on the bike is definitely more worthwhile than trying to get on the bike knowing you're injured. Taking a step back and healing properly is more worthwhile. Your health is with you for your whole life; there will be another race next year.

The finish line

15. Where do you see yourself in five years in terms of cycling?

In about three years, there will be the Olympics, and some Canadian athletes will be selected. We are fortunate to have two World Cups in Sarasota, USA, for the next two years. It will definitely be a test to see how we measure up on the world stage. It will be a first for me. It will give me an idea of where I stand and how I feel about it. I will definitely continue to push myself to achieve my goals. In terms of cycling, in five years, I see myself still competing. It remains to be seen whether it will be at a high level or just for fun, but clearly, I will still be on a bike in five years.

16. What are your next short- and long-term goals?

In the long term, it's about constantly improving. Not necessarily a result, because when you're chasing a result, you can easily get caught out by tougher qualifications, mechanical breakdowns, etc. I try to be more consistent in my results. Not necessarily a result, but to have fun racing. Sometimes there's a certain amount of pressure because you want to get results, but it doesn't always work out. I'm really trying to work on my consistency, to continue to have fun through my races, even if some of them are going to be difficult. One of my big goals would be to spend the next 2-3 years qualifying for the Olympics. If it doesn't work out, it doesn't work out. Otherwise, in the short term, I want to train to be more explosive, have better lifestyle habits, eat better, focus on my sport, and recover from my old injuries.

Through his story, Rémi Lemieux reminds us that BMX racing is a sport of passion, perseverance, and balance between ambition and enjoyment. Whether facing injuries, disappointments, or moments of euphoria, he demonstrates a maturity and respect for the sport that speak volumes about the champion he is becoming, both on and off the track. For the young people who cross his path at the CNCB, he remains a concrete example: that of an athlete who pushes forward despite obstacles and gives back to his community. And no matter where competition takes him in the coming years, one thing is certain: Rémi will always be on his bike, driven by the same passion that has fueled him since his beginnings.

Visit our social media pages to watch the interview!