Xmas Feature – Nathan Draper (Junior RR Champ)

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Question and Answer Xmas Feature with Junior Road Race Champion Nathan Draper from the Isle of Man

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Xmas Feature – Nathan Draper (Junior RR Champ)

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1. Do you know what your race programme is likely to be in 2016 with the GB Academy and if so, what events are you looking forward to most?
Nathan: With the academy moving to Italy in 2016, we have a great calendar with races almost every weekend from late February onwards which means lots of chances to gain as much experience as I can with the new style of racing and hopefully trying to get some experience at some of the Nation Cups and best races like the Tour de Yorkshire and Tour of Britain.

2. What were your highlights in 2015?
Nathan: Highlights for me in 2015 had to be both the Junior Road Nationals and the World Road Race Championships in Richmond.

The National Champs because after coming close last year, finishing 2nd, it was great to go a step better and get the win especially with it being on the same course meant I knew how and where I could try and win the race and luckily it paid off.

The World Champs was an amazing experience and finishing 8th was a massive bonus. I think after last years world champs, I had a disappointing result and wanted to come back this year and be competitive and it all seemed to fall together on the day for an unforgettable race.

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3. What race was the most fun in 2015 and why?
Nathan: I think Junior Paris-Roubaix had to be the most fun I’ve had in a race this year. It was just complete chaos from the off with literally a mad dash into every section we hit. It was one of the hardest races I’ve done so far but I think looking back, it was great fun and I’d do it again if given the chance.

4. What’s the best piece of cycling related advice you’ve been given?
Nathan: I think the best advice I’ve been given as a whole is that when your either on your own or a little bit isolated, that you don’t always have to make the race to be in the race and sometimes when you are feeling good in those scenarios that it’s about saving your powder for when it really matters.

5. Tell us what it was like being based on the Isle of Man and racing all over the UK and Europe the last few years as a Junior – ie, how often each month were you travelling off the island and how did that impact on your training? Also, being a small island, doing long rides, are there plenty of different routes you can take and is there a special chain gang on the island?
Nathan: Being based on the Isle of Man and racing all over the UK and Europe this year has had its challenges. For example trying to get off the island and allowing time for things like traveling across the country and overnight stays before races always makes things a little more difficult.

But I had massive help from the Walker’s always offering me a place to stay before races, as well as my dad who gave me massive help being at the right place at the right time. Despite the Isle of Man being such a small place, I think people would be surprised at the amount of different routes their actually are and even though I was doing similar routes each day, I still found I enjoyed it none the less.

6. How will you spend December on the bike – at home or in Manchester, long miles only or a mixture of intervals and miles and bike only or gym/cross training too?
Nathan: This December, I will be mostly at home back on the Isle of Man which will be good to get back to a home routine and get back into the swing of things with training. Training will be just the usual at this time of year with long mile rides including some more specific stuff like power/strength training. Off the bike, with the help of the guys at British Cycling, I’m doing more work in the gym and looking to improve my core strength/structure to improve how smooth and efficient I am when riding.

7. A cheeky Xmas one: . if you could have any cycling related xmas present – what would it be!
Nathan: For a Christmas present, it could be a bit early to get, but a maybe a new set of cycling shoes would be nice to have ready for when the season all kicks off!

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