The VeloUK question and answer features continue with Alex Sheehan of women’s team Bikeshed Bianchi
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Feature: Alex Sheehan Q & A
L-R Bethan Stubbs, Emma Cockcroft, Alex Sheehan with a Bianchi XR1
1. When will you start your road season and what will be the first race?
Alex: My first road race will be Modbury Spring RR, part of the Kalas South West Women’s Race Series at the beginning of March. It should be a good opportunity to test the legs and try out some team tactics.
2. What races will be your targets for 2016 and why?
Alex: As a team, we will be targeting certain National and Women’s Team series events. We have a strong team that allows us a number of cards to play, but the rest is top secret! However, this is my second senior year and it’s time to get stuck-in at a higher level now and use my kick!
3. How will you spend the time on the bike between now and your first race in training?
Alex: I’ll still be doing some long rides to keep the endurance base I’ve been building over the past months, but I will be starting to build in some high intensity work, to bring on my top end.
4. What was your favourite Xmas present?
Alex: A polaroid camera from may parents. I like the simplicity of it. Point, shoot and an image is produced.
5. When it rains, which its doing a lot right now, is it turbo time or wrap up and get wet?
Alex: If it’s a session with efforts, I tend to hop on the wattbike, to keep the quality. Although, sometimes you have to grip your knickers, get on with it and get out.
My top tip is invest in good kit. They say,’there is no bad weather, just bad clothes’. In my opinion a decent rain or winter jacket is the way forwards, it’s the best bit of kit I own. Also wear a pair of neoprene over shoes – wet but warm- there is nothing worse than cold toes!
6. If you could do any race in the world including the best ones in the world etc, what would it be and why?
Alex: The Giro Rosa, because it’s currently the longest women’s UCI stage race. I have not been to Italy yet so why not!
7. What piece of food can you not do without where ever you are on the road during the season!
Alex: Porridge and Bananas!
8. What is your favourite music track when warming up for a race or on the turbo?
Alex: I like to listen to the Arctic Monkeys Album ‘What ever people say I am, that’s what I’m not’.
9. If given the option, would you prefer normal brakes or disc brakes on your road bike?
Alex: Brakes! Who needs them?! Disc brakes are unarguable more responsive, but I’m pretty happy with rim brakes, there’s plenty of stopping power there for me.
10. What’s the spec of your race bike for 2016 and your favourite bits on it?
Alex: Our team bike this season is the beautiful Bianchi Oltre XR1, specced with Ultegra 11 speed, in traditional Celeste colour scheme of course. It screams class.
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