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Can you introduce yourself and tell us a bit about your background in sports?
Hi, I’m Angelo Vandecasteele. I’m from Belgium, and I live in a small town called Waasmunster, surrounded by forests—perfect for training. I was born in Ghent and I'm now 35 years old.
I’m an elite duathlete, and I usually compete in short-distance races. This year, however, I’ve decided to take on a new challenge: the Hel Van Kasterlee (in Kasterlee, Belgium).
It’s known as one of the hardest duathlon races in the world, perhaps even the hardest - 15km run in loop, 125km mountain biking in the mud and 30 km run in loop. I’m curious to see what it will bring me.
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How did you get started in duathlon?
I started running when I was about eight or nine years old and competed at the highest national levels. Unfortunately, injuries were a recurring challenge.
Around the age of 24 or 25, a friend invited me to join a bicycle race. At the time, I didn’t even own a bike! After borrowing one and training for two or three weeks, I entered the race and did surprisingly well.
Despite having no cycling background, I immediately felt comfortable. Combining running and cycling naturally led me to duathlon, and that’s how my journey began.
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Is this your first time competing in the Hell van Kasterlee?
Yes, this will be my first time.
I was there last year supporting my brother, who finished the race. The event’s atmosphere was electrifying and inspiring. Being on the starting grid with everyone else made me want to participate.
A commentator who knew me from other races encouraged me to join, and I promised him I’d be there this year. I’m a man of my word, so here I am.
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What’s your biggest concern for race day?
That’s an easy one: the cold and the rain. If it’s just light showers, I’ll manage, but heavy rain all day will be a challenge. Cold weather isn’t as much of an issue since you can layer up, but rain… that’s my Achilles’ heel.
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What are your goals for the race?
I always aim for the win. While I won’t say I’m guaranteed to win, I’m giving it my all. My ambition is to become the first debutant to win the Hel Van Kasterlee, which has never been done before. It’s a big goal, but I believe I’m ready.
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Will your brother be racing with you?
My brother won’t be competing, but he’ll be part of my support team. For the final run, each participant needs a coach, and I’ll have two: my brother and my best friend Yuri, who is also my colleague. With their support, I’ll have a strong team by my side.
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Can you tell us about your secret weapon - your bike?
My bike, an Orbea Alma, is my secret weapon. At first glance, it might not seem special, but it’s fully custom. My colleague and I modified it extensively, making it ultra-lightweight at under eight kilograms. It has unique features like a 44-tooth front chainring, which isn’t standard for mountain bikes, and a mix of components from racing bikes. It’s designed for maximum performance and precision, and we built it at Dewasport.
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How do you plan your nutrition for a race like this?
Nutrition is critical for an eight-to-eight-and-a-half-hour race like this.
In the morning, I start with carbohydrates—usually a bowl of honey loops cereal, which is easy to eat, full of sugars, and available almost everywhere.
Pre-race, I take a Red Bull and a pre-activity shot from Oleus.
During the race, I use products from Wcup—a Belgian nutrition brand—and aim for 140 to 150 grams of carbs per hour, especially on the bike. For the final run, we’ll adjust as needed based on how I’m feeling.
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Any final thoughts?
De Hel Van Kasterlee is an incredible challenge, and I’m excited to test myself. With the right preparation, team, and mindset, I’m ready to give it everything I’ve got.
As spectators, we had the chance to witness an incredibly thrilling race.
Angelo started strong, leading the pack early on and showcasing his dominance. However, at a critical point, he had to stop to change gloves, which cost him several minutes and allowed Seppe to take the lead.
For a moment, it seemed like the gap—nearly 5 minutes—might be too much to overcome. But what followed was a display of determination and grit. He fought back fiercely, pushing through the bike segment with remarkable effort. Slowly but surely, he began to close the gap.
By the time he entered the final run, it was clear he had regained his momentum. With every step, he edged closer to victory. In an incredible turnaround, he not only reclaimed the lead but crossed the finish line with a commanding 6-minute advantage.
It was a performance that left us in awe, proving that resilience and tenacity can turn the tide in even the most challenging situations.
