We were lucky to catch up with one of America’s most promising stars just before he hopped on a plane for France; meet Brent Bookwalter of the BMC Racing Team.

Early on this Michigan native took his mountain bike skills to Banner Elk at Lees-McRae Collegeto race collegiate, and it's there in the mountains of North Carolina that earning stars-and-stripe jerseys became a regular thing.  Every year Brent climbed the ladder of success by winning multiple national championships across several disciplines – road, mountain bike and cyclocross. 

Prior to joining BMC Racing Team in 2008 he raced for US National Team as well as Priority Health, and if you scroll through past TBRA results you will see he was a regular at events like Highland Rim, Roan Groan and the Cookeville Criterium.  Brent will begin his 2010 season in Franceto compete at the Tour du Haut Var on February 20-21.  France is a long ways away from dreaming of becoming a pro back in Michigan, but if all goes well you just might see him in the Giro d’Italia. 

Brent Bookwalter of BMC Racing Team
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NC.com - How does a young kid from Michiganget started in cycling, and how did you end up in the mountains of Banner Elk, NC?  What impact do you believe your collegiate success at Lees-McRae has had on your development?

Bookwalter:  Michigan may not be thought of as a power house state when it comes to bike racing, but they actually have a really great scene up there.  I tried a local "Fun Promotions" mountain bike race back in 1998.  My next door neighbor Brian was sort of into it at the time and he was cool enough to bring me with and show me the ropes.  From there on, I climbed my way up through the ranks of Michigan mountain biking.  All of my progress as a young guy is really a testament to the great group of supportive people around.  I wasn't even old enough to drive my first few years racing.  Without the support of my parents and some great friends, there is no way I would have improved how I did and be where I am today.  A BIG thank you to all of them! 

*side note.... when I was 16 I competed in the "expert 24 and under" class.  I distinctively remember thinking then, that maybe, with a lot of hard work, I could be a good "pro" Michigan mountain biker by the time I was old enough (25) for the next age group.  A lot happened between now and then, but it’s a nice example of things happening fast; often much faster than you anticipate. 

NC.com - You have individual collegiate national championship jerseys in mountain, road, and cyclocross.  How many jerseys do you have at home, and is there one victory that’s a bit more special?

Bookwalter:  I think I have 15 collegiate stars and stripes jerseys.  A couple of those are from team titles and a couple are also from the team time trial.  The first one I won is really special.  I was new to LMC and LMC was rather new to collegiate cycling.  It was the first time an individual from the school had won a national title in a sport and it was an honor to be a part of that.  Another one that I hold a little closer to my heart is the last one I won while at LMC, in cyclocross.  Good memories of that race as a hard fought battle and some epic conditions. SNOWY!

NC.com - Share what you believe collegiate cycling can offer a developing cyclist, and why a young junior should take that path.  What was the most challenging aspect for you?

Bookwalter:  Collegiate cycling played a huge part in allowing me to develop into the rider and person I am today.  I think during that time of your life, both of those things (personal and "professional") should go hand in hand.  For me, college at LMC was a perfect place for that.  It allowed me to pursue my ambitions and dreams as a cyclist while keeping it in a healthy balance with the rest of my life, so I still had fun and didn't try to push it too fast.  The hardest part was seeing some of my friends and peers who didn't go to school.  They were maybe riding for a bigger team, or spending their winters riding and hanging out in Tucson and I for sure at the time was a little bit envious.  Everyone is different though and has to make their own path.  Looking back, I wouldn't change mine. 

Brent in action at the recent BMC Racing Team camp.
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NC.com - You broke your leg pretty bad back in 2007 and had several setbacks in healing.  What was going through your mind about your health, your career, and did you believe you would be where you are today?

Bookwalter:  That was a pivotal time in my life.   I would never want to re-live it or wish that on anyone, but now that I am through it and on the other side, I feel happy and blessed to have experienced it and lived through it.  I had just graduated from school, and was riding full time for the first time.  I was only a few months into that new more "single-minded" pursuit and I came to a screeching halt.  The time off and rehab was probably the most difficult thing I've ever dealt with, but it gave me a new appreciation for what we have the opportunity to do everyday.  There aren't many days when I don't think back to those months when I was laid up as a reminder to enjoy the opportunity I have right now. 

NC.com - How did you come to land a spot with BMC to start 2008, and what have the last two years been like with them as they’ve grown?

Bookwalter:  I put my appreciation into words for the opportunity BMC gave me in 2008.  I began talking with them before I could even walk.  I've been so fortunate to have great people who have always believed in me, sometimes even more than I believe in myself.  I think that is what you need when you are going through a really tough time, and my path crossing with BMC was a prime example of that.  Gavin and Charlie really believed in me from the very first time I spoke with them.  That was really inspiring for me in my quest to return to a high level within the sport and still is as I go into this new season with them.  It’s a unique foundation for a relationship with a team and I think both sides benefit from that mutual faith and/or belief in each other. 

NC.com - In 2009 you raced Paris-Roubaix, the Worlds road race, and you won the Tour of Utah prologue ahead of Dave Zabriskie by two seconds.  Describe the experience of finishing such an epic race like Paris-Roubaix, racing Worlds on Team USA, and beating one of the world’s best time trialists.

Bookwalter:
-OUCH, whacked, brutal knackered, THIS is AMAZING, sore, ugh feeling sick
-proud to be an American; wow, I have a lot of work to do. 
-STOKED

NC.com - BMC’s 2010 roster includes Allesandro Ballan, Cadel Evans and George Hincapie.  Those are heavy hitters you have as teammates.  What is it like to know they wear the same jersey as you, and are you feeling a little more pressure?

Bookwalter:  Of course the pressure is up, but I wouldn't be in the situation to deal with the added pressure and expectation if I didn't have it in me to handle it and prosper in it.  It’s an honor to be team mates with those guys.  On top of being guys who will go down in history as cycling-greats, they are all really nice guys who I hope to learn a lot from. 

Brent's teammates Cadel Evans and George Hincapie leading the team training camp in California.
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NC.com - What are your personal ambitions and target races for this season; which races are you excited about specifically?  Is it possible BMC will end up doing a grand tour this year with you on that squad?

Bookwalter:  The Giro is in the plan right now.  A lot can happen between now and May, but I'm looking forward to putting all the pieces together between now and then.  

NC.com - We appreciate you taking the time to share yourself with the readers of NashvilleCyclist.com.  You get the last word, what would like to leave the readers with?

Bookwalter:  Thanks for reading!  I hope everyone can follow along this year while the BMC Racing Team makes it an exciting 2010.  Hope to see you all around the Southeast!

You can follow Brent Bookwalter and the BMC Racing Team by visiting their website at www.bmcracingteam.com - the Excitement Research Team!
 

National Champion George Hincapie with Brent Bookwalter over his left shoulder.
Photo Copyright, TDWSport.com