Feature – Michael Gore Q & A

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The next VeloUK feature question & answer is with time trialist Michael Gore of the Medway Velo

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Feature – Michael Gore Q & A

1. What will be your first time trial for 2016 and why that one to kick off the season?
Michael: My first time trial for 2016 is the KCA 3-up Time Trial on March 6th. It’s pretty much a club tradition to kick the season off with a 3-up TT. I like to do it, as it`s a gentle start to the season. Being a 25, you are not flat out like you would be for a 10. And if your fitness is not 100%, then you have two other riders to help you along!

2. What time trials will be your targets for 2016 and why?
Michael: If I can qualify for them with fast enough times, my targets are the 10, 25, 50-mile RTTC National Championships, plus the RTTC Closed circuit champs at seasons end. I will compete in my local TTs also. This year I would like to step up to the next level in competition, and feel I`m ready to do this.

3. What phase of the training schedule are you – base miles or intervals?
Michael: I`m building my mileage back up again currently, so class this part as my pre-season. I have already added intervals back into my training, I tend to do my intervals indoors as I find it is easier than trying hard efforts on the road. Last season I experimented with Tabatha based sessions, which worked very well and I improved my times on all my distances from doing this type of training, I started Tabatha sessions 2-weeks ago, aim being race fitness by end of Feb.

4. Do you train on a road bike or TT bike?
Michael: I train on a road bike, and use a spin bike when indoors.

5. What is your favourite distance and why?
Michael: 25 miles is my favourite distance. I find 10s are too short for me, whilst anything over 50-miles is too long as I suffer from back problems. With 25-miles, you have to ride them hard, but also just hold back a little from your max, so you have enough in the tank to be consistent the whole length of the time trial. It`s a big advantage if you know the course you’re riding as you can gauge your effort much better. Also with 25-miles, how you climb hills is also very important. In tens, I will generally attack a hill, whilst a 25, will be a more measured effort on the climb, just holding back from what I call my red zone.

6. What is your favourite course in the country and why?
Michael: Good question! I actually don`t have an outright favourite course as such. I did the closed circuit championships at Thruxton, last season and to be on a racing track, I found this a great thrill and really enjoyed the event, so I would say that course would be right up there. Some local courses I go well on, my favourite one in Kent being the Thanet located Q25/10. I always seem to go well on that course, so tend to like doing it!

 

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7. You’re doing a ’10’ – do you take a bidon on the bike and if so, what’s your drink of choice when racing?
Michael: Never! – in fact for a 10, I never take a drink on my bike, in my case you’re only riding for 20-23-mins, so no need to drink for such a short period unless it`s like 100 degrees outside! For a 25, still no food, though I will sip an energy drink 2-3 times, only Lucozade sport or Gatorade.  For 50s, I have an energy drink such as High 5 – Energy Source. I will also carry an energy gel, which I will have towards the end of the time trial to get me through the last 30-mins.

8. What is your weapon (bike) of choice for 2016? 
Michael: I have just brought myself a new machine for 2016, so quite excited for this season. Finances are tight for me, so I`m limited in the spec of machine I can afford, so do the best I can on my budget. For 2016, I’ll be riding the new Giant Trinity Advanced, on a Shimano 105 groupset. Would love a higher spec groupset, but my bank balance would not! I have a F6R Fast forward tub on the front, and will either have a Zipp 900 or Fast Forward Disc on the back, so a reasonable wheelset.

9. What is the key to going fast for you?
Michael: Consistent high mileage training, I`m a believer that miles makes champions, so having a good endurance base is very important, then doing explosive intervals to boost your ability to work at a high heart rate. Then finally a good strength and conditioning program. If you can nail these three things, then that is the key to riding fast, or is in my case anyway!

10. Finally, if you could change one thing about the way time trials are organised, what it would be (ie, closed roads, etc)
Michael: It would be good to see more events run on a closed circuit or roads. Whilst all efforts are made to be as safe as one can, being held on open roads, time trial riders are always at risk. You do accept as a rider, there is the element of danger from other road users, but it would still be a great improvement if more events were closed courses.

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