After an up and down 2012, Ian ‘superman’ Wilkinson is in new colours and looking to have consistently good form in 2013 for his new team, UK Youth
![]() |
Speaking to the Barnoldswick rider at Southwick near Portsmouth, he explained how 2012 had its highlights and low points. “I had a really strong start to the year with some wins in Belgium and France and podiums in UCI races and then ended the year with podiums in more UCI races like the Baltic Tour. There was the Newport Nocturne as well so it wasn’t a bad year but I faltered by my own standards in the Tour Series which is one of the main aims.â€
“We’ll rectify that this year and get back to good form with UK Youth.â€
Despite his UCI wins and podiums in 2012, Ian was not selected for the NetApp/Endura team and instead signed for UK Youth. “There was a lot of talk going on at the back end of last year about Endura and Netapp merging, lots of talk and nothing happening which usually means nothing is coming your way. Fortunately, I still have tons of miles and wins left in the tank and UK Youth have been savy enough to snap us up in putting together what is a really strong team.â€
Having spent two get togethers with the team, Ian is full of praise of how great it has been with the squad. “It’s been fantastic so far with the team. We had a get together just before Christmas to meet Nigel Mansell and a few of the staff from the business. It was great to meet someone who has achieved so much. It doesn’t matter what sport it is, to be that successful you have to be pretty special and Nigel is that.â€
“The training camp was also really good and a good litmus test. ‘Pov’ has put together a really good group and everyone had the same humour level so we’ve had some great mickey taking and enjoyable training out there. We went out there to put in some consistent hard training to find out where we are and I’m in a lot better place than I was last year. Fingers crossed that will continue!â€
Ian has spent a few seasons with Endura and had a chance to do a training camp with a different team. Are they all the same VeloUK asked? “We had some really good training with Endura and the DS (Alex) Sans Vega knew his stuff and was good at bringing individual training into a group ride. I was curious to see what we would do and Steve Benton (team coach) brought in some different things which were equally good. Once we got it together, I had some good drills going out there.â€
Pre-race at the Perfs (his first ride in the Southern event), Ian from Lancashire was asked how it felt to be pinning a number on again. “This is the first Premier this!†he said with his usual upbeat humour. “It certainly feels long enough since we pinned a number on. I’ve done a few cross races in the winter but I am nervous again and that’s a good feeling to have, to get the heart going.â€
“You go all winter and it doesn’t matter what the race is, you pin a number on and you want to do well. These smaller races, they can be some of the hardest to compete in and it’s a tough circuit…â€
As it happened, Ian, like all the UK Youth riders, was in good form, making the break with his teammates and then finishing the race 5th. Ahead lies another seven months of racing and you can be sure, the name Ian Wilkinson will be in the headlines again and again … Good luck to superman for 2013.
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- Track Result: Premier Division Manchester Track League #4
- Team Feature: Hutchinson/Brother UK
- Events: Spring MK Bowl Circuit Series
- Crit Result: Full Gas Winter Series (LVVP #13)
- Events: RCR Fatcreations Road Race
- Team News: DAS Handsling Women’s UCI Team
- News: GB for European Track Championships
- Crit Result: Full Gas Winter Series (Hillingdon #6)
- CX Result: NWCCA CX League Round 9
- CX Result: London/SE CX League Rd 10
- CX Result: Wessex CX League Rd 13
- CX Result: Eastern Cyclo-Cross League 11
- CX Result: East Kent CX League 5
- British Track Championships: Day 3 Report
- Track Results: British Track Championhip Results (para)
- Track Results: British Track Championship Results (M)
- Track Result: British Track Championships Results (W)
- British Track Championships: Day 2 Report
- Q&A: Sophie Lankford (Alba Team)
- Team Feature: Sam Watson’s Journey to WorldTour
- News: Rayner Foundation’s Gateway Project
- News: Star Names Sign up for Saint Piran 05/03 Team
- News: 58th Perfs Pedal RR
- Track Result: Premier Division Manchester Track League
- News: GB Team for CX Worlds
- Team News: MAS Design – Fensham Howes Junior Team
- 2022/2023 National Trophy Cyclocross Series Final Standings
- EVENTS: The Peaks 2 Day p/b Giant Sheffield
- TEAM NEWS: Kalas Motip Race Team for 2023
- Team News: Rotor UK Sponsor Team AT85
- CX Result: Leicestershire Cyclo-Cross League Rd 7
- CX Result: Wessex CX League, Rd 12
- CX Result: Eastern Region CX League Rd 10
- Q&A: Vicky Smith (Alba Development Road Team)
- Track Result: First Division Manchester Track League
- Track Result: Premier Division Manchester Track League
- Crit Result: LVYCC Winter Races 1
- British Track Championships Jan 26-29
- Crit Result: Odd Down Winter Series 2
- Crit Result: Full Gas Winter Series #11
Other News on VeloUK
- Team Feature: Hutchinson/Brother UK
- Events: Spring MK Bowl Circuit Series
- Events: RCR Fatcreations Road Race
- Team News: DAS Handsling Women’s UCI Team
- News: GB for European Track Championships
- Q&A: Sophie Lankford (Alba Team)
- News: Rayner Foundation’s Gateway Project
- News: Star Names Sign up for Saint Piran 05/03 Team
- News: 58th Perfs Pedal RR
- News: GB Team for CX Worlds
- Team News: MAS Design – Fensham Howes Junior Team
- EVENTS: The Peaks 2 Day p/b Giant Sheffield
- TEAM NEWS: Kalas Motip Race Team for 2023
- Team News: Rotor UK Sponsor Team AT85
- Q&A: Vicky Smith (Alba Development Road Team)
- British Track Championships Jan 26-29
- Event News: Midlands handicap league returns in 2023
- News: Alba DRT Riders Inspired to Step Up
- Race Dates: Track Events 2023
- News: Santini Cycling UK
- News: Wightlink-Wight Mountain CRT Report
- Events: Velo Club St Raphael Time Trial
- Startlist: British Cyclocross Championships 2023
- BRITISH CYCLOCROSS CHAMPIONSHIPS 2023
- News: Brother UK Continues to Sponsor Cycling
- Dave Rayner Fund Supported Riders
- Event news: British Team Cup
- National Trophy: Final Round, Cyclopark
- News: Pedal Club December Lunch Report
- Team News: Velo Bavarian Race Team 2023
- 2023 British teams – Richardson’s Trek
- Team News: 26th Year for Arctic-Aircon RT
- Event News: British Masters RR Champs
- News: West Midlands RR Calendar
- Team News: New cycling team in Central Region
- News: UCI World Masters Track Championships
- 2023: National Under 23, Youth & Junior Road Series
- National Trophy Cyclocross Round 5: Startlist
- News: 2023 British National Road Series
- New Bikes! Ribble’s Reynolds 725 (Gravel bike)