Xmas Feature – Paul Jones

Another rider from Primera Sports racing team, Paul Jones, takes the VeloUK Xmas Feature Q & A

Xmas Feature -Â Paul Jones

Photo by Eamonn Deane of Paul winning the Gary Dighton memorial 10 mile time trial

1. What were your highlights in 2015?
Paul:Â I had two main highlights this year. The main one was very bitter sweet. Winning the first Gary Dighton memorial 10. Gary was a great friend, team mate and racing two up partner. He took his own life at the beginning of the year and is still greatly missed by a great many people.

The second was how consistent I was this year. Even after spending all winter on the turbo after having a serious training crash at the end of the 2014 season.

2. What races are you looking forward to most next season and why?
Paul:: I’m looking to smash my 10 and 25 pb’s next year. I pb’d at 10 miles and got close at 25 miles, so lots of trips to the fast courses up and down the country. Hull for the 10 (where Wiggins tried to beat the comp record this year) and Wales for the 25. National 10 and 25 championships to represent the team at national level.

3. What race was the most fun in 2015 and why?
Paul:: My 10 pb in Hull this year. Nine hour round trip, 40 mph winds and still a pb. Buzzing all the way home!

4. Whatâ€™s the best piece of cycling related advice youâ€™ve ever been given that has made a difference and who gave it to you?
Paul:: Something I read about 20 years ago, by Francesco Moser. “Train so hard it makes the races seem easy”

5. Tell us about your winter training bike, what is different about it compared to your race bike?
Paul:: My ‘winter’ bike is my old race bike. A Cervello p3. I got a new bike at the beginning of the year. A Specilized S-works Shiv TT. The position is the same, so I can train in my race position. I’m so happy that the team is sponsored by Specialized as they make the fastest kit out there. Helmet, shoes and bikes.

6. How will you spend December on the bike?
Paul:: December is when I start adding race effort intervals after months of long sweetspot efforts. As a short distance TT rider, I don’t really need long steady rides, so 90% of my training is turbo work. Training to power with my latest toy, a cycleops powertap turbo. It almost makes 10-12 hours a week of turboing fun.