Interview – Dan McLay

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Twenty two year old Dan McLay who rides for BretagneSéché Environnement in 2015, talks to Jean Vantalon in France

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Interview – Dan McLay

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Thanks to Jean Vantalon of www.be-celt.com (French language interview)

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At 22, British sprinter Daniel Mc Lay has signed for French pro team BretagneSéché Environnement on a two year contract. The team, who have also signed Raleigh’s Matthieu Boulo who was such a hit in Britain this season, has greatly expanded with the arrival of experienced riders like Yauhneni Hutarovich, Pierrick Fredrigo and Jonhatan Hivert.

Former Lotto Under 23 development rider Dan McLay met his new teammates recently where he had time to work on improving his French language skills. His new team has great ambitions for the coming season and when asked how he felt at the meet and greet, Dan replied “I arrived in Brest last Sunday and the reception with the team was really great”.

“There is a really good atmosphere in the team. I need to improve my French to make me feel better though! Roger Trehin (director sportif) & pro Brice Feuillu speak English but it is up to me to learn French so I can integrate myself in the team”.

“There is already a great team spirit though. This morning, for example, it was an orientating race just between us and it was really nice even though I’m completely lost!”

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Dan explained how he felt at home though saying Brittany and Britain are very similar with the landscape, roads and the weather! When it was put to him that his team Bretagne Séché Environnement has big goals for him next season, Dan agreed.

“Yes, they have ambition and I like that. I’m young and I want to learn the job while trying to win some races. My goal is to win of course but also to win my place in the team for the major events. I would love to test myself in Paris-Roubaix for example, and I have to work for it early in the season.”
“In addition, when you arrive in Bretagne Séché Environnement, you feel immediately this team is really professional. There are many more staff around us than we had in my old team which was nevertheless a great team. Here, we see that things here are well organized and as such, the logistics side of the team is ideal for the riders.”

Asked did he feel more comfortable in the pro races this season with six victories, Dan replied “Yes, for sure, I feel better in the races. I know where to position myself and I don’t hesitate, less than last year for certain. I won six races this season because I read races better and I don’t hesitate in the sprint. Those moments of hesitation prevented me from having several victories in the past, but that was then. I am better now.”

A winner of a stage in the ‘baby Le Tour’, the Tour de l’Avenir, Dan was asked if he thinks about getting a ride in the Tour de France? “Of course, but to make the team will be very hard. I must be on top of my game all season to earn a place in the race”.

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“The first week of the tour will be on the place where I lived with the Lotto Belisol U23 team. I know the roads, they are difficult and there are big climb as Mur de Huy. I like the climbs and mountains, but I go up more slowly than the others (laughs)! I’m a rider for the classics and a ‘punchy’ type rider.”

Selection for Team Great Britain?
“I hope to be selected for the Worlds. It’s the same as with Bretagne Séché, you must be on top form if you want to be selected. I like being part of the national team. We are all in foreign teams with different nationalities and when you find yourself with friends such as Scott Davies or Tao Geoghegan Hart and the others, the banter is great”.

“We have the same sense of humour so there is a lot of joking around that makes us laugh. We have known each other a long time so it’s more like a family than the national team.”

Talking to Dan’s DS, Emmanuel Hubert, he says “I wanted Daniel to come with us for different reasons. Already, I like riders who come from the World of track, it is a really good school which trains fighters”.

“I’ve always had a fondness for this kind of rider. Then Daniel was not afraid to fight. He raced lots in Belgium, where he learned to perfectly know the classics and he knows how to be in good place in the sprints. Finally, he has a spirit that can bring something the team also. I have great hopes on him and I think I will not be disappointed. ”

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