Xmas Feature: Laura Massey

Xmas Q & A feature with Curlew Cup winner Laura Massey who tells us what her highlights of 2015 were

Xmas Feature: Laura Massey

1. What races are you looking forward to most next season and why?
Laura: The Tour of Ardeche as it goes up Mont Ventoux so thatâ€™s pretty special. The Curlew Cup with the extra Ryals climb â€“ that will make it a very tough, and hopefully interesting, race.

2. What were your highlights in 2015?
Laura: Winning Curlew Cup â€“ my first National Elite RR Series win and the Tour of Ardeche, a brilliant stage race experience.

3. What race was the most fun in 2015 and why?
Laura: The Tour of Ardeche which was something different, a new event for me, some real climbs and descents, beautiful scenery, high calibre of riders and great team support. It was just an epic race!

4. Whatâ€™s the best piece of cycling related advice youâ€™ve ever been given and who gave it to you?
Laura: At the end of a race, be prepared to put your nose in the wind. You donâ€™t win bike races by just hiding in the wheels. There are moments you have to actually work to get yourself into a better position and be ready for the final kick. This was from the naturally-talented sprinter Karla Boddy.

Someone else also told me not to switch off mentally in a race when you have switched off physically. If I feel this happening, I move up or do something to get my concentration/adrenaline up because otherwise I end up at the back of the bunch and then when all hell breaks loose. I canâ€™t do anything about it and I beat myself up about it later on.

5. Tell us about your winter training bike, what is different about it compared to your race bike?
Laura: Nothing apart from the winter bike has Ultegra and aluminum wheels and the race bike has Dura Ace and carbon wheels. Otherwise identical. Yes I ride a carbon bike in the winterâ€¦. but I like to enjoy my riding! Plus Iâ€™ve gained my winter weight so the bike doesnâ€™t have to as well!

6. How will you spend December on the bike?
Laura: I am full time employed so I donâ€™t have the luxury of spending December abroad. I donâ€™t think the company would be too impressed if I tried to do this in at one of the busiest times in the Pharma Consultancy market! Generally, I do long miles at the weekend and roller sessions mid week. No cross training as I donâ€™t have the time for anything but work and bike.

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