Feature: Alice Staniford Q & A

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The final Question and Answer today comes from Alice Staniford (Team eliteVelo Kalas)

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Feature: Alice Staniford Q & A

Alice-Hillclimb

Photo: Ann Owens

1. When will you start your road season and what will be the first race?
Alice: We’re all going on a training camp in Spain with Costa Cycling Experience in February so I’ll probably test my legs at the Primavera Road Race at the end of February. It’s a typical rolling Devon course of seven laps so it’ll blow the cobwebs out!

2. What races will be your targets for 2016 and why?
Alice: As a team we will be targeting the Women’s Team Series events primarily but I’m looking forward to the CiCLE Women’s race and perhaps a few other big road races.

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?
Alice: Over Christmas I stepped away from structured training and had a good time just riding lots for Rapha’s Festive 500. But this week I’ll be back to proper sessions – mostly on the turbo as that’s the best way for me to get quality time on the bike around my job.

4. What was your favourite Xmas present?
Alice: My favourite Christmas present is probably my full length fluffy dressing gown (it’s even got a hood!). I look a bit like a Jedi when I’m wearing it but it’s so cosy and the first thing I put on after a long ride out in the rain and cold.

AliceStaniford

5. When it rains, which its doing a lot right now, is it turbo time or wrap up and get wet? (if the latter, what’s your favourite tip to stay dry in the rain)
Alice: A bit of both really. It rains even in the summer here so if you don’t train in the rain how can you expect to perform well in the rain? Saying that, a specific session on the turbo normally beats dreary hours in horrible conditions.

6. If you could do any race in the world including the best ones in the world etc, what would it be and why?
Alice: I’d love to race the Ras Na mBan in Ireland too – every year I follow the race online and it just looks like such a great experience!

7. What piece of food can you not do without where ever you are on the road during the season!
Alice: Any form of cake is always welcome.

8. What is your favourite music track when warming up for a race or on the turbo?
Alice: I quite like training in silence so I do most of my training without music. Sometimes a good dance track helps with motivation though in which case I’ll find something on Spotify.

9. If given the option, would you prefer normal brakes or disc brakes on your road bike?
Alice: I’m definitely converted to the idea of discs and my next bike (if I ever have any money left after racing) will definitely have disc brakes. But for racing, I think I’d still stay with normal brakes. At least until the whole peloton was swapped over.

10. What’s the spec of your race bike for 2016 and your favourite bits on it? (include a pic or two if you have them!)
Alice: I’ll be racing on my trusty Trek Madone which I’ve had since the end of 2009. I’ve upgraded some of the kit to Ultegra 6700 and I’m hoping to get some lightweight wheels this season as I’m still running training wheels year round. I think the best investment I’ve made on my bike, and my most valued component, is my Stages powermeter. I just don’t think I could go back to training without power.

Find out more on Alice’s website – www.alicestaniford.com – Thanks Alice and good luck for 2016!

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