Camille made waves when she took the world champs in 2020 on a sloppy treacherous track in Leogang, winning the gold by three seconds. Since then, the former ice hockey Olympian has gone on to be one of the most consistent riders on the circuit taking the overall in 2022 despite breaking her collarbone in the penultimate race of the series. A nasty crash took her out of the running this year but we have no doubt she will be back up to speed in 2024.
Who is Camille Balanche?
A 33-year-old woman from Switzerland who is a pro mountain biker and a lover of all sports!
What are you best known for?
Being mentally strong and consistent
What are you up to in 2023?
I’ve been racing and trying to win!
What does a typical day look like for you?
I wake up at 8:30am, have breakfast and go for a ride (it could be on a different bike each day, depending on the training I need to do). Then I have lunch with a coffee, and end the working day with a gym session. There’s some chill time after dinner with Netflix, and I’m in bed at 10pm.
What would your ultimate fantasy day be?
Not far off how I live already. In the morning, a good breakfast and coffee outside in the sun. A day of riding DH with prime dirt, some chill time at the lake in the afternoon (maybe a wakeboarding session) and a barbecue in the evening up a mountain with a nice view. All with good friends.
Where do you call home and what’s the riding like?
Macolin, pretty much in the middle of Switzerland. The riding is really cool, mostly enduro trails with rock, roots and some little jumps. About 400-500m vertical descent and pretty steep, with a funicular to go back up every 15mins.
First riding memory?
I was 3 years old. I didn’t want to ride with stabiliser wheels anymore, so we removed them, but I did crash a lot. I once hit the door of the garage with my face and woke up really beaten up and swollen with two black eyes.
First bike?
I had many different bikes since the age of two but my first proper mountain bike was a Scott Scale 29in XC bike in 2013.
Who were your heroes growing up?
Roger Federer [tennis player] and Sydney Crosby [NHL player].
What gets you excited to ride?
Hero dirt, loam and good flow!
When was the last time you were really stoked?
A week ago, when I got my new custom helmet.
Who’s your favourite person/people to ride with?
My girlfriend Emilie Siegenthaler.
What’s your current go-to bike?
My new Commencal Meta V5.
Any unusual bike set-up preferences?
No pins in my pedals – I like to be free to float.
Favourite bike component of all time?
I can’t choose. Everything I have on my bike right now, especially the Fox suspension.
Worst MTB trend of all time?
Integrated headset cable routine.
What are your hobbies or interests outside of mountain biking?
Don’t have many outside MTB. Making good coffee and watching Netflix!
If you could only ride one location ever again, where would that be?
Probably Whistler Bike Park in Canada.
Favourite World Cup track?
Les Gets, France.
Best trail you’ve ridden this year?
Huck Yeah in Queenstown, New Zealand.
Worst crash you’ve had?
It was in 2014. I cased a jump and ended up head-first in a tree with three broken cervicals.
One thing no one knows about you?
I’m half Algerian on my mother’s side.
What simple things make you happy?
Chocolate with my coffee, and sunshine.
Biggest ride of your life?
Winning the overall last year, especially after breaking my collarbone.
What’s your biggest weakness?
I’m not patient.
Most treasured possession?
That would be my mountain bikes or my MX bike. I don’t have other treasures, really.
What music are you currently listening to?
All kinds of hip hop.
Favourite album of all time?
Micro d’argent by IAM
What three things would you want on a desert island?
A friend, some food and good drinks.
What advice would you give your 13-year-old self?
That German and English will be really useful in the future – do better at studying them.
If you weren’t a pro rider, what would you be doing?
An athlete or coach in another sporting discipline.
Best piece of advice you’ve ever been given?
Don’t ride over your limit. Consistency is more important.
This article was originally published in MBUK 426
Words: Rachel Bennet
