Feature question and answer with the Isle of Man’s Matt Draper (junior) of the Velocity Globalbike racing team
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Feature: Matt Draper Q & A
1. When will you start your road season and what will be the first race?
Matt: I’ll start my race season in March, and it will either be at Cadence GP or at the Eddy Soens.
2. What races will be your targets for 2016 and why?
Matt: I’d like to take a win or two in the national series. Rutland would be a great race to win as I love that course.
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?
Matt: Between now and my first race it will be a mix of long miles, top end efforts but also doing some gym work.
4. What was your favourite Xmas present?
Matt: Getting a new pair of cycling shoes is always a good Christmas present.
5. When it rains, which its doing a lot right now, is it turbo time or wrap up and get wet?Â
Matt: Definitely get out in the rain, don’t really have much choice on the island! The turbo can get tedious, so a long sleeved jersey, undervest and my Bioracer cap, raincape and neoprene gloves always work when out in the rain.
6. If you could do any race in the world including the best ones in the world etc, what would it be and why?
Matt: Hands down Paris-Roubaix! It’s such a brutal race, but the fans and the atmosphere is amazing. I’d love to race across the cobbles, it’s legendary, and it’s got so much history with it.
7. What piece of food can you not do without where ever you are on the road during the season!
Matt: Blueberries, and Oatberry clusters from M&S. Can’t go anywhere without them, they’re a staple.
8. What is your favourite music track when warming up for a race or on the turbo?
Matt: When you were young – The Killers
9. If given the option, would you prefer normal brakes or disc brakes on your road bike?
Matt: Normal brakes on my road bike for sure. Discs just aren’t euro. They look ugly and are just an added danger when crashes occur.
10. What’s the spec of your race bike for 2016 and your favourite bits on it?
Matt: 2016 Lapierre Aircode with Ui2 and Cero rc45 wheels. I haven’t got it yet, but I can’t wait to get riding on it, I’m really looking forward to it!
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