de Biolley
6th place in X-Pyr 2024 · Spain Completed Patrouille des Glaciers ski race 2022 · Switzerland Flew his first 100km in Bornes to Fly 2022 · France
Tell us how you got into paragliding
I started with kitesurfing and then snowkiting. I participated in the Red Bull Ragnarok (extreme snowkite race in Norway). Then I started snowkiting in the Alps. After some small slope jumps, I wanted to fly more and longer so one day I decided to take a paragliding course in The Vosges, France and I've been hooked ever since.
What was your best cross-country flight in the Alps or a comparable region (location, distance, triangle/flat/one way, year)?
And your worst moment?
My first cross-country competition in Piedrahíta in 2022. I really learned to lose in this sport. I came there with a lot of motivation, but I realized even more why I love hike and fly. When you bomb out, you can't just put all your energy into running. It was a good lesson, and it teaches you to fight even more to stay in the air. Second worst moment was when we landed in a cactus with my girlfriend in Tenerife.
Summarize the paragliding experience which you think qualifies you for the race?
The last year has been marked by two major experiences and I think the combination of both qualify me for this race. I supported Tom de Dorlodot in Red Bull X-Alps 2023. Living the race from the inside allowed me to see what key points I had to improve on in order to be a good hike and fly athlete, but I also learned a lot about the race itself and the Alps. Then, I was able to put this into practice in the X-Pyr. Over the past four years of hike and fly racing, I feel I have been able to identify what works for me, and what I have to focus on to get better. My full focus goes into this sport and I'm confident I deserve a spot in the line-up.
Best adventure moment?
There are so many, but for sure an emotional one was during the Patrouille des Glaciers. We had pushed through the night, and it was really hard in the morning. But then there was this amazing sunrise above Arolla and it was so intense. Physically I was dead, but I was so happy and emotional at the same time! Another highlight recently was the climb of the Grand Combin together with my wife.
What’s your training philosophy? Do you follow a regular plan?
It's been three years since I've had an endurance coach and physio and it has helped me a lot to prevent injuries, but also to be at least as fast as the Alpine guys, but by training on our small hills in Belgium. I follow a weekly plan that combines trail running, running on flats, biking and strength training. Additionally, I train in the winter for my skimo races by doing a lot of vertical meters whenever I can. Overall, the challenge is to combine my full-time job with this intensive training plan.
Why do you want to take part in Red Bull X-Alps?
I want to participate in this race because the preparation process excites me. I've really enjoyed these last years of training and preparing my body and mind. Everytime I'm surprised by how much I'm able to push. So, it's kind of a quest to the limit. Finally, I want to have the same tears of joy that I had in 2022 at the Bornes to Fly, when I land on the raft in Zell am See.
Why do you think you have what it takes?
Because I can visualize myself participating in this race. I have been able to test my team, my body and my flying on longer race formats and it has given me the proof that I'm on the right path regarding preparation. Mentally I feel very good, my team has always been surprised how positive and happy I am even when nothing goes as planned. Lastly, I think I'm a good candidate because I love to share my adventures, together with Oscar Knoops.
Who makes the ideal supporter?
For me it's more about a complementary team rather than an ideal supporter. I need a good router who can guide me on the ground and in the air. He's a good hike and fly pilot for sure and is good with all the necessary tools. I need a strong supporter who can run with me and push me to the top of the mountains.
What is your approach to risk and safety? What are your rules for staying safe?
Trust my instinct. In some hike and fly races in the past, I have gone over my limit. Though it did not result in an accident, I have learned from these experiences, and I can now better identify my limits and the amount of risk I'm willing to take. At the end, the most important thing for me is to stay healthy and be able to participate in this race multiple times. Additionally, I want to be clear-minded and focused before I get in the air, my supporters are there to help me with that. I give them every right to prevent me from flying.