2_4_DiscoverBenelux_13_Januar_2014_MADS_Scan Magazine 1 17/12/2014 15:23 Page 47

Discover Benelux |  Special Theme |  Cycling

Eliminating saddle pain If you ever spent a few hours riding a road bike, you know your muscles as well as your buttocks will be in pain after sitting in the saddle that long. The one hundred percent natural body care products of QM Sports Care relieve pain in the muscles and soften pain of an irritated skin. TEXT: JANINE STERENBORG  |  PHOTOS: qM SPORTS CARE

The ointments and creams of qM Sports Care are the first fully natural sports care products available. “Over ten years ago I noticed a gap in the market for high quality  body  care  products  for sportsmen  and  women,”  explains qM Sports Care founder Johan van Steendam.  With  a  background  in aromatherapy, a Master’s degree in physiotherapy and a career as amateur cyclist, the qM product line is a  logical  outcome  of  this  observation. Many  professional  cyclists  and other  sportsmen  and  women  already enjoy the benefits of the qM Sports Care line, thanks to a sponsorship  deal  with  the  Pro  Tour  cycling  teams  Etixx-quick  Step  and  Katusha. “Among the cyclists are the famous  Tom  Boonen,  Alexander  Kristoff and  Joaquim  Rodriguez,”  adds  Van Steendam.  “Other  qM  enthusiasts  are Frederik Van Lierde, winner of Iron Man in  Hawaii  in  2013,  and  Kelly  Druyts, world champion scratch 2014.”

The base of essential oils is the distinctive feature of the qM Sports Care products. Van Steendam explains the advantages of

Steendam: “It’s a warming lotion to use in cold or wet circumstances. Its ingredients are  red  pepper,  mint  and  eucalyptus  to heat the muscles, and menthol makes your skin feel refreshed, so it does not subtract heat from the muscles.” This  month,  two  new  products  will be  released.  “We  call  them  ‘pants creams’  in  Belgium.  They’re  made to protect the buttocks against irritation and friction. We made it after receiving requests from professional cyclists.  For  gentlemen,  the  Pro Race  Chamois  Cream  is  available, and for women we created the first creams  especially  for  females:  the Ladies Choice Chamois Cream.”

this: “Your skin is waterproof, so it can’t absorb water, but it can absorb the volatile essential oils. The oil ends up in your bloodstream, so they can make a difference in the muscles.” The ingredients of the ointments and creams depend on the goal of the products. A perfect cream for this cold time of year is the Hot Embrocation. Van

qM Sports Care will be attending the cycling  fair  Vélofollies  in  Kortrijk,  Belgium, from Friday 16 to Sunday 18 January (see our Out & About calendar on page 64 for more information). www.qmsportscare.com

Issue 13 |  January 2015 |  47