Cassà Bike: From after-school activity to producing national champions

Cassà Bike started as a small training school with the aim of introducing children to cycling in a fun and educational way. Over the years, and thanks to the commitment of families, coaches, and riders, the school has evolved into a reference point in the area. And to top it off, the school has recently produced champions at the Spanish cyclocross national championships.

Text: Judit Muñoz, Photos: Joan Carles Codola

The project in Cassà de la Selva is both educational and sporting in nature. It was created by Narcís Riembau who explains that Cassà Bike has grown steadily as a result of dedicated staff, a shared passion for cycling, and the strong team behind it.

“The project today”, Riembau says, “has a high percentage of boys and girls who practise non-competitive cycling, with the focus on learning, values, and enjoyment of sport. This year, however, the club has taken a step forward with the creation of a road competition group, adding to its MTB and cyclocross sections and expanding the sporting pathways available to young cyclists.”

From a performance point of view, success came immediately. Cassà Bike is enjoying a particularly strong moment thanks to the achievements of Jana Freixas, a young rider from the club who has recently been crowned both Catalan and Spanish cyclocross champion. At just 14 years old, Jana has become one of the great prospects of Catalan cycling, showing the way for others with high ambitions.

“Freixas is, I believe, excellent proof that with enthusiasm, consistency, and a strong community, small projects can go a very long way”, Riembau states. “Joana and Neus Bagudanch, among others, are also performing at a very high level.”

These successes are partly based on the fact that the club has its own dedicated training facility: a 12,000-square-metre circuit in town, ideal for working on technique, safety, and bike-handling skills. In addition, the club offers its athletes support across different disciplines of the sport. The road competition group is led by Jan Vila and Riembau himself, and there is also a specific MTB group.

The school currently runs training sessions four days a week and adapts to different ages and levels. It is open to children and young people from 4 to 18 years old. Who knows? These kids might well be future champions in a few years.

Training sessions are divided into two main blocks:
● From 4:00 to 5:30 pm, the club offers high-quality sessions for riders who compete.
● From 5:30 to 7:00 pm, sessions focus on the formative stage, with an ‘after-school’ format and educational approach.

This story is part of Nafent Magazine volume 17. Support Nafent and get a subscription in the webshop.