Kovert Cycling Collective is an Amsterdam-based cycling crew that flies just under the radar but stands out for its performance, style, and attitude. They’re a tight group of friends and racers who push each other, embracing different strengths to perform as one team - a bunch of goats and shepherds, as they call it. Here’s their story.
What does the name Kovert Cycling Collective mean to you?
An underKover/covert cycling crew (s/o to Pinny), a group of remarkable cycling talents operating slightly below the radar but standing out in style, performance and camaraderie.
How would you describe the team culture?
We are just as much friends as we are teammates. We are very different in riding style and talents - we are a collective of goats and shepherds - yet we have great chemistry. We embrace each other’s differences and love to support one another in all our endeavors. Oh, and jokingly very much a part of our culture (so included as a slogan on our custom kit): running is for thieves.
What makes Kovert.cc stand out in the Amsterdam racing scene?
We are not the only amateur racers in the country with jobs and families who still want to train, ride hard and compete seriously. However, very few can match us in terms of dedication (craziness?): cycling is life. Down the rabbit hole, as far as the hole goes and beyond.
Whether it's training, nutrition, gear, kit & accessories, weight, heat acclimatisation, aerodynamics, rest & recovery: it’s all about performing and performing in style. Becoming national (amateur) champions, winning big local races in Amsterdam, or getting strong international results among the best riders in the world in Gran Fondos or gravel races only strengthens our resolve.
What keeps you motivated to keep training and racing?
There is always a next race to win and another level to be reached. We are still getting better and still reaching goals that have become increasingly ambitious, from UCI races to highly coveted (koveted!) Strava KOMs.
What does success look like for Kovert.cc?
Getting the most out of ourselves and continuing to improve, while standing out in terms of style and camaraderie. Winning is always the ultimate goal, but every race has more losers than winners, so it also depends on the race or event and how we do it. Getting a top 10 in a strong international field can be just as or even more rewarding than winning a local race.
How do you balance individual strength with team racing strategy during races?
We know in which races we have the best chances of success with which rider. Our shepherds are more than happy to guide our goats to the final climb of a hard UCI Gran Fondo, and our goats are more than happy to spend their bullets closing gaps, so that our shepherds have a chance to ride away or sprint for the win.
How would you describe the racing and riding culture in the Netherlands?
The Netherlands has a very diverse racing and riding culture and that’s its strength. Whether it’s club racing on many of our closed, dedicated circuits (which is rare in itself already), criteriums on technical city parcours full of cobbles, curbs and speed bumps, gravel racing, or Gran Fondos, we have it all.
It’s a busy country, but the cycling infrastructure is arguably the best in the world, so even just going for a training ride can be a good enough reason to come and ride your bike here - in your preferred CIOVITA kit of course.
What advice would you give to other amateur racing teams?
Be proud of what you do, ride hard, don’t skip turns until you get dropped, and don’t take yourselves - and what you do - too seriously.
How did your collaboration with CIOVITA come about, and what was the experience like designing your kit?
CIOVITA stands out to us in terms of style and performance, which is exactly what we strive for. On top of that, CIOVITA plays an active role in the Amsterdam and Dutch cycling scene, organising events and sponsoring exciting races.
Being able to design our own kit (s/o to designer Daan Hornstra) with CIOVITA felt like a logical next step. CIOVITA guides you through the entire process and provides great feedback on what works and what doesn’t. Fair pricing and very reasonable delivery times complete the package.
How important is apparel performance in your racing?
People underestimate the role of cycling kit: it can truly be free speed. It also provides comfort, and comfort translates into better performance and longevity. And looking good means feeling fast and we all know how much the mind plays a role in the sport.
Follow Kovert Cycling Collective here: https://www.instagram.com/kovert.cc/
Photography by Charl Neethling
