Originally from the Magdalen Islands, Hugo Barrette is a track cyclist who has competed in the Olympic Games twice, in Rio in 2016 and Tokyo in 2020. It was in Bromont, at the velodrome, that he discovered track cycling and fell in love with the sport that has had such a profound impact on his career. Now an ambassador at the Bromont National Cycling Center, Hugo puts his experience and expertise to work for the next generation of riders. In this interview, he looks back on his career, explains what makes the CNCB unique in his eyes, and shares his desire to give back to the sport that shaped him.

His beginnings in the world of cycling

1. What's your story with cycling? How did you get into it?

I'm from the Magdalen Islands. When I left the Islands, I was immediately introduced to the velodrome and track cycling here in Bromont. At the time, there was an outdoor velodrome, and I fell in love with the sport. I still can't believe there's now an indoor velodrome here. It's amazing. It was really a lifelong dream, a career dream. And to be able to be here today with the new generation of riders, to help them, makes me really, really happy.

2. What brought you here to the Bromont National Cycling Center?

Coming back here to the CNCB was just natural. I have family in the area, I love the Eastern Townships, but most of all, the velodrome is where I fell in love with track cycling. Then, at that point in my career, it was time to start giving back and guiding the new generation of riders, who always need help. I hope to pass on to them what I would have liked the older cyclists to pass on to me at the beginning of my career.

3. What do you find unique about the CNCB?

The CNCB here, the first thing that comes to mind is that it's an incredible velodrome. It's beautiful, it's a beautiful space. But what really makes the difference is the people, the staff. It's well built, people are excited to be there, and you can feel it. It's exciting, it's fun, it really feels like coming home, even if it's your first time here. It's welcoming, everyone is welcome!

Daily training and performance

4. What does a typical training session in your specialty look like?

A typical training session involves only a few efforts, but they are super intense! Efforts lasting between 10 seconds and a minute, but so intense that you can sometimes end up feeling nauseous and throwing up in the trash can at the end, because you give it your all, everything you've got. There's a lot of recovery time, between 10 and 15 minutes, and then we start again. It goes really fast. We do short events, but they're very, very fast, at over 50 mph.

5. If someone wanted to get into track cycling, how would you advise them to start?

If you want to take up cycling on the velodrome, don't hesitate. It looks impressive, it looks dangerous, but honestly, it's the ultimate tool for training in winter. Instead of being on Zwift, you go to the velodrome. It's a great feeling, engaging workouts, with large groups that can really push you. Whether you're a cycling addict or just starting out, if you're in the Bromont area, I really invite you to come and try it. I guarantee you'll love it.

6. What advice would you give to a young person starting out in the sport?

One piece of advice I would give to a young person starting out in the sport would be to be patient. At first, it can seem like an insurmountable mountain. The times, for both men and women, are exceptional. It goes so fast that when you start, you look at your performance and think, “I'll never make it.” But with time, one step at a time, with conviction and without ever giving up... Most people who have that conviction, that passion, and who don't give up, go very far.

7. Was there ever a moment when you thought about giving up?

No, never. I never thought about giving up the sport. I love training. Most people cycle to compete in races. I used to compete in races, I performed well in races, I won medals in races, so that I could train full-time. So, it's a bit the opposite of most people, but it means that I really love my life because every day you train, and I feel super lucky to have been able to have a full career, with success in what I love. Every day I show up, I'm passionate about cycling, but I'm also passionate about training. And right now, I'm trying to give that back to the people who train with me.

8. Do you have a favorite snack during training?

I hardly ever eat during training. But if I'm really low on energy, maybe some jelly beans here and there. There are always athletes, endurance runners always have some candy that I eat, but it's very, very rare. I prefer to just eat a lot at the end.

Giving back to the sport and the community

9. What does being a CNCB ambassador mean to you?

For me, being a CNCB ambassador is a no-brainer, it comes naturally. I do it because I love cycling, I love the velodrome, this is where I got my start. But it's about encouraging this space, being there, being part of the community, and helping someone who has helped me so much in my career, Nicolas Legault, who is the heart of the velodrome. I'll always be there to help because the velodrome has been there at every stage of my career, it has been there to help me without hesitation.

10. What does your weight training routine look like? How does it help you with cycling?

My weight training routine consists of three to four weight training sessions per week. It helps with cycling because we try to lift heavy weights to become stronger. Then, when you push down on the pedals on a bike, you generate power. This is the result of speed and strength, so being strong is a really important part of cycling. And increasingly so for endurance riders too, because we see it in the Tour de France, with Tadej Pogačar, etc. They generate enormous power. These guys are physically strong, so they do indoor training. Indoor training is no longer just for sprint athletes, but also for road cyclists.

11. Are there any differences in strength training for sprinters?

Yes, it differs. There are definitely fewer loads and much less training. Rather than going for huge loads, it's more about activation, making sure your muscles are strong but also well conditioned, mobility—it encompasses all of that. Everything related to physical fitness, conditioning, and injury prevention is really essential, especially for people who train on the road and mountain bikes, or even on the endurance track. There are a lot of crashes, it's inevitable, so if you know you're going to fall, prepare yourself to be strong when you do.

12. What message would you give to those who are hesitant to try a new sport?

I understand that it can be intimidating to get on the velodrome because it's impressive, with big angles, but I can tell you that it feels great. I see kids aged 7-8 doing it here almost every day, with no problem. Don't hesitate. We have people here, highly qualified staff who will introduce you to the sport and go at the speed you want to go on the velodrome. Then, once you're able to get on the velodrome, we take it step by step. Once you've taken your two introductory classes, you're really ready to come here anytime. I'm telling you, anyone who trains on Zwift, come and do your introductions, and when you have to do 2, 3, 4 hours of Zwift, just come to the velodrome, you'll like it much better.

Throughout his career, Hugo Barrette has shown that track cycling is above all a story of passion and consistency. Driven by the desire to share what the sport has given him, he now coaches riders with the same intensity he once put into his own performance. At the CNCB, he inspires others with his authenticity, energy, and deep attachment to the cycling community.

To view the video clip : https://www.instagram.com/reel/ca-roule-avec-hugobarrette