Winner of the Bath RC Junior National Series road race in 2015, Tom Chandler of the VCUK PH-MAS Cycling Team takes the VeloUK Q & A
![]() |
Feature: Tom Chandler Q & A
Tom (left of picture), one the country’s top Juniors.
1. When will you start your road season and what will be the first race?
Tom: Perfs Pedal Road Race on 14th February. Its an E/1/2/3 event and looking at previous results, I think it attracts some quality riders including domestic pro’s so will be fun to get stuck in and see where I’m at before the first junior national which takes place just over a month later.
2. What races will be your targets for 2016 and why?
Tom: For 2016, I aim to do all the national series (Peter Buckley series) whilst also competing and learning abroad in places like Belgium and France. The aim is to back up National series results with abroad racing experience and hopefully some results there too. This applies for both road and track. For me that seems the best way to set yourself up for a career in the sport as a senior.
3. How will you spend the time on the bike between now and your first race in training?
Tom: By now, the long miles should already be done and for me its now a time to get more intense efforts in. But that doesn’t mean ignoring the long rides completely. I’ll probably be doing long 4-5 hour rides at least once a week while getting the hard work done on the turbo during the week. I’ll be competing regularly at track league events in the week and the odd event at the weekend too. As I’m still at school studying my A2’s, a lot of what I do in the week will be on the turbo.
4. What was your favourite Xmas present?
Tom: I got a really cool original newspaper cover from the 1947 tour which was the first one since WWII.
5. When it rains, which its doing a lot right now, is it turbo time or wrap up and get wet
Tom: It depends on the type of ride I have to do that day. If it’s a long ride, theres no way thats getting done on the turbo. Too boring. But if its a short 1-1.5hr ride with efforts, it’s probably best done on a turbo.
In terms of the best way to deal with wet weather, wrap up. If you’re going out without enough kit you’ll be doing yourself more harm than good. If you’ve got to do a long ride, and the weathers bad, ride through it. Don’t stop at a cafe, there’s nothing worse than having to put wet kit back on and head into the cold where you’ll get chilled. You’re best off riding straight home and warming up.
6. If you could do any race in the world including the best ones in the world etc, what would it be and why?
Tom: All the ‘Monuments’ are really special. Races like Roubaix and Flanders seem to have so much drama and the passion you see from the fans on the side of the road is incredible. There’s also the Tour (de France). I think lots of juniors dream of being able to race in that. Simply because it’s the biggest bike race in the world!
7. What piece of food can you not do without where ever you are on the road during the season!
Tom: I use a lot of OTE products and they do quality flapjacks.
8. What is your favourite music track when warming up for a race or on the turbo?
Tom: I have a playlist but haven’t spent enough time on it to get enough music on there. At the minute there’s some AC/DC, Iron Maiden, Nirvana and Rage Against the Machine.
9. If given the option, would you prefer normal brakes or disc brakes on your road bike?
Tom: Disc brakes just don’t look right on road bikes. I think it makes the bike look ugly. I was a bit disappointed when I heard they’re being allowed for Pros next year. Not that it will affect me at all, I just don’t really want to see it. Plus I don’t see what the problem’ there are with normal brakes, they stop the bike don’t they? So why change it?
10. What’s the spec of your race bike for 2016 and your favourite bits on it?
Tom: VCUK PH-MAS have been great and are looking after us really well. We’re getting frames from them, called Shark. It’s a new brand from Velo Champion so will be exciting to try them out. We’re also getting wheels from them. And in terms of clothing I don’t think there’s anything they don’t give us! Clothing, shoes, glasses and helmets, its all covered!
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- Result: Forge Valley Crits #3 P/B YBC
- Result: Hove Park Crits #2
- TT Result: VTTA (London & Home Counties) 10
- Result: CCA Summer in the City Crits #11
- Result: AIRC Course de Deux #1
- Result: Castle Combe Summer Series 9
- Result: Cream First Criterium Series 10
- Result: Chorley CC UCLAN Series 3
- Result: Cowley Road Condors Road Race (women)
- TT Result: AeroCoach Midland Championships
- TT Result: North Devon Velo 10
- TT Result: Jubilee Rumble Strip 10
- TT Result: Muckle CC TT
- TT Result: Cleveland Wheelers CC 18
- TT Result: Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club 10
- Result: White Rose Youth League R7
- Result: Surrey League/London Dynamo RR
- TT Result: RTTC National 100 Mile Championship
- TT Result: Zak Carr Memorial 10
- TT Result: Yorkshire Cycling Federation 50
- TT Result: Port Sunlight Wheelers 10
- TT Result: Lindsey Roads CC 10
- TT Result: Lea Valley CC 10
- TT Result: Alltrax 10m TT
- TT Result: Epsom CC 10
- TT Result: Shropshire CCA Championship 10
- Result: King and Queen of the Bowl Crit Series #11
- Result: RL360 Isle of Man Youth League Rd 12
- GB Team for Track Euros
- Result: West Thames League Rnd 13
- Result: RCR Goodwood Series #8
- Result: Portsmouth Evening Circuits
- Result: Thank Crit it’s Friday 4
- Result: Swindon Summer Race Series 3
- Result: Full Gas Summer Circuit Series 14
- Result: National Circuit Series – Guildford
- TT Result: Westerley Cycling Club 25
- TT Result: Ross on Wye & Dist CC 25
- TT Result: Northampton & District CA 12.7m TT
- TT Result: Border City Whs CC 25
Other News on VeloUK
- GB Team for Track Euros
- Opening of Sir Mark Cavendish Raceway
- Bike News: Ribble Cycles Alloy Bikes
- This Weekend: Junior Road Championships
- Wednesday: Otley Cycle Races
- Mid Shropshire Wheelers celebrates 100 Years of Cycling
- Team Feature: Prologue Junior Racing Team Spring Review
- New: Ribble Cycles Ultra-Grit & Allgrit Ranges
- START LISTS FOR BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- STARTLIST: Two day Giant Tugby Ronde van Wymeswold
- NEWS: MAJOR JUNIOR TEAMS TO MERGE FOR 2026
- Entries Wanted: Ilkley Town Centre Races
- Report/Result: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage 2
- Report: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage 1
- STARTLIST: Owen Blower Memorial Road Races
- Events: Halesowen Academy Road Race
- News: May Pedal Club Lunch
- RIBBLE PARTNERS WITH THE BIKE FITTERS
- Monday: Witham Wheelers Road Races
- British Stars for Women’s Tour of Britain
- Women’s Tour of Britain Riders 2025
- BIKES: RIBBLE UNVEILS ULTRA-RACE
- Women’s Tour of Britain Routes
- STARTLISTS: 2025 Lincoln Grand Prix
- STARTLIST: The Witham Hall Grand Prix
- Startlist: Timmy James Memorial Grand Prix
- FEATURE: PEDAL CLUB LUNCH REPORT (APRIL)
- 2025 BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS – ROUTES
- STARTLIST: Sloan Trophy (April 27)
- News: Teams Revealed for the Women’s Tour of Britain
- Startlist: CiCLE Classic International
- Sunday: CiCLE Classic UCI Road Race
- News: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage Hosts
- PERTH GRAND PRIX (SCOTLAND)
- April 19: PNE National B Road Race
- STARTLIST: East Cleveland Classic
- Startlists: Witham Hall Junior Two Day (Men & Women)
- Startlist: Totnes-Vire Two Day
- STARTLISTS: Cold Dark Capenwray Road Races
- News: CiCLE Classic – Volunteers Wanted