Hot on the heels of Le Tour de Langkawi 2025, Men’s Folio Malaysia caught up with the Tudor Pro Cycling Team’s members — cyclists Arvid de Kleijn and Sebastian Kolze Changizi, as well as sports director Marcel Sieberg — to learn all about being born to dare.
These men, decked in their Pelagos FXD Chrono Cycling Edition watches, had new stories to share. But before we talk about the cyclists, let us first mention how apt this timepiece is for their lives.
Lightweight, legibly large, and equipped with a chronograph complication, this Pelagos carries all the traits of the sport. Its makeup of carbon composite is no coincidence, as the lightest bicycles are made from the same material. It is tough enough to handle most rigours of the sport, and one could say it might even survive a crash.
Speaking of crashes, de Kleijn himself had just gotten through a particularly gruelling one, sustaining a collarbone injury that required surgeries and support plates. And as any injured athlete will know, doubt comes the strongest during these moments.
“I was at my physical peak when I crashed, which, to be honest, I have never returned to yet. And I sometimes doubt if I ever will. But I believe after one more winter, I might get close.”
He puts on a stoic face, admitting that he does not know what the future holds, but the best version of de Kleijn may not seem so far away, seeing how he had placed on the podium for various legs in Le Tour de Langkawi 2025, even outright winning in stages two and six.
Giving himself enough time to reach peak performance is a pragmatic move, because great things do indeed take time. The saying ‘Rome was not built in a day’ exists for a reason, after all.
So it is only practical to mix hardcore training with a bit of fun. And Changizi knows a thing or two about this balancing act. “Sometimes, going all-out is not the best thing to do. Sometimes, rest makes you happy, and when you are happy, you find the energy to push harder.”
How does Changizi find his balance? By making sourdough from scratch. And perhaps — taking inspiration from the dough that needs time to rest and proof — that is the reason why he embraces a bit of R&R.
Sports director Sieberg knows a thing or two about rest and training too, having competed for some 15 years himself. And this experience is what makes him invaluable for the position. Admittedly, it is a very different world from what Sieberg was used to.
“Cycling has always been a passion, but the skillset required for my position is different now. I have learned all I needed to on the job. It’s not like you have a step-by-step manual on what to do, but that is the same with everything in life. Sometimes there is no other way to learn than to just dive in head first.”
These men from the Tudor Pro Cycling Team carry Tudor’s ‘Born To Dare’ tagline effortlessly, as their careers involve reaching for the impossible.
But there is a certain courage required in everyday life too, such as being a beginner again by learning a new skill, overcoming an injury, or taking on a new career. And by overcoming these common yet challenging situations with a brave face, these men are showing what it truly means to dare.
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