Feature – Sharon Laws Q & A

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Former British road race champion Sharon Laws rides for a new UCI team in 2016, Podium Ambition and takes the VeloUK Q & A

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Feature – Sharon Laws Q & A

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2016 Team: Podium Ambition Pro Cycling powered by Club La Santa

1. When will you start your road season and what will be the first race?
Sharon: I will only start racing in Europe in April. Our race programme has yet to be confirmed as we wait to hear from the Women’s Pro-Tour race organisers. I will be doing some road and mountain bike races in South Africa in February / March for training.

2. What races will be your targets for 2016 and why?
Sharon: The Tour of California and the Women’s Tour. I was disappointed not to race the Tour of California last year. It looked an incredible race with a great route profile. As a World Tour event this year, I am sure it will be a great event. It’s nice to do new races. I enjoy the atmosphere of the races in the US particularly when they are linked to the men’s race.

The Women’s Tour is probably the only event outside the World Championships, which I have raced and really felt like a professional athlete. The organization is brilliant, the crowds are amazing and it is fantastic to race in the UK in front of home crowds and with daily TV coverage.

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Sharon winning the British title at Ryedale.

3. How will you spend the time on the bike between now and your first race in training? Long miles or cutting back to do top end efforts?
Sharon: I raced in South Africa in mid November and had a break after. This is much later than I’ve had a break before so I’ve only been training since the beginning of December. I’m doing a mixture of long miles and slightly higher intensity and strength work at the moment. The top end stuff will come much near the beginning of the season.

4. What was your favourite Xmas present?
Sharon: My friend in South Africa gave me a milk frother so I can make cappuccino’s at home!

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Sharon all smiles in last years Aviva Women’s Tour organised by Sweetspot

5. When it rains, which its doing a lot right now, is it turbo time or wrap up and get wet? 
Sharon: After attempting the European winter last year (admittedly Spain and not the UK) for the first time in my cycling career, I decided training in the winter definitely wasn’t for me so I’ve escaped to South Africa until the end of March!

6. If you could do any race in the world including the best ones in the world etc, what would it be and why?
Sharon: L’Eroica – it’s a Grand Fondo but done on old bikes, tar and gravel roads and wearing the kit the pro’s used to use. It celebrates what cycling used to be like – more about the passion and less about the money.  I would also like to do Strade Bianche as I love riding my road bike on gravel roads.

7. What piece of food can you not do without where ever you are on the road during the season!
Sharon: Lindt 70% dark chocolate and good coffee.

8. If given the option, would you prefer normal brakes or disc brakes on your road bike?
Sharon: Normal brakes and stick to disc brakes on the mountain bike.

Thanks Sharon and good luck in 2016!

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