Well October/September was a stressful few months. I've learnt a lot; the harshest lesson of all being
"we'll be in touch" really means
"lol, we're far too important to get back to you". Luckily however I'm finally all sorted for 2014 (as you can probably tell by the re-design of the blog). This Monday (4/11/13) I went up to Southport to see Jon Taylor of Bike and Body in the morning, my coach and masseur from 2013 who I'll be working with again in 2014, to discuss a rough calender for next season and also finalise my winter training plan. Following that I went to speak to Milan Sihelsky, who has helped me out immensely with wheels among many other things this season, and Dave Williams, head of Kuota UK and DHW agencies. I'm very excited to say be a part of Kuota-Spinergy-GSG in 2014 and am really positive about next season. I've raced a lot against a number of their riders this season, none more so that Mike Rawson who has given myself (and everyone else) a good kicking at almost every race I've done with him. He's been a huge help in putting me in touch with Dave and sorting me out with a place on the team, he's a proper mate and the type who does something for nothing.
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| Rawdog and myself full on gurning in the sprint at Brenig. Beautiful. |
In my head I felt I had a pretty good winter last year, looking back however I've realised there were a number of mistakes I made, not through choice but simply inexperience. I definitely didn't alter my training enough as the season approached, I trained hard but just not in the right way. In 2014 however I'm confident with Jon's help and having learnt from my mistakes I'll be in the best possible shape come February/March. I'm looking forward to racing on Tuesday nights at the velodrome after winning enough races on Friday nights to be moved up to the Premier Division and will be with the likes of the GB academy lads which should hopefully help massively. The prospect of working with a power meter is also a little daunting, all this talk of watts bores me somewhat being a bit of a traditionalist but it's certainly the tool to use to really analyse how training is going. A sexy new Italian team bike will balance things out! I'm also looking at adding a much more structured weights program to the second half of winter and also going out motor-pacing after the new year to up my speed. I'm also planning on getting in a pre-season camp again abroad but haven't decided where or when yet. For the next few months however its just a case of getting the miles in when I can before and after work with the mates and building a good base.
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| Kuota-Spinergy-GSG Team Van |
As one of my big heroes of the modern era (Taylor Phinney) told me
"Put in a big Winter and make sure you're in the best possible shape for next season". The opportunity I have is certainly not one I'll be taking for granted; my parents have always let me pursue my dreams and my bosses at work have always been very understanding of my awkwardness (slipping into lycra in the office, stretching in front of confused looking customers and sticking my feet up on the desk ect) but it's time to up my game and step everything up a notch. That means evaluating what I do off the bike too, my stretching and core has improved, as has my diet thanks to a very knowledgeable friend of mine; Fred Hoek, at Norfresh over in Holland.
I've realised I never did take the time to publicly thank Nicolas Bertrand (Biketreks team manager) and Simon Deeley (DS), so I'll do it now, thank you. Nic gave me a spot on the team when I really didn't think I deserved it and Simon gave me the confidence to truly believe that I did. Si also taught me a lot off the bike; how a bar should be run, why airports are such a mind-numbingly painful experience, why you shouldn't share a room with himself and Chris Sherriffs, why I shouldn't be allowed to share a room with anyone. I've a great year in 2013 but can't wait for 2014 at Kuota racing for Dave and with Mike and the rest of the team. I'm in particular super excited to be going to the Tour ta' Malta and also heading back over to Belgium again for a month towards the end of the season.
Thanks as ever for reading and sticking with me, I ended up waffling a bit more than intended as per,
TB
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| Kuota Base - Southport |
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| Nic Bertrand |
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| Si Deeley |
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| I just like this photo of Merckx via Belgian Boys Club |
