Interview: Adam Kenway, Hill Climb Champion

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Talking to Adam Kenway (Metaltek Kuota) about that win in the Hill Climb Championship and his move to Raleigh GAC for 2017

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Interview: Adam Kenway, Hill Climb Champion

It has been some few weeks for Adam Kenway (Metaltek Kuota) after crashing hard after a training session for the British Hill Climb Championship and then turning up on the day of that event only to win the dam thing!

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The week before, after a training session on the climb, he was riding home and a car turned in front of him, sending him crashing to the tarmac and breaking all sorts of equipment but thankfully no broken bones for Adam. It did however knock his confidence and he wasn’t even sure he would do the championships.

A few days after, with the kids at home, he went for a little pedal on the Tuesday and said the legs didn’t feel great after the first ride since the accident. So, he decided to take the kids away for a treat and that afternoon went to Legoland and then Sealife on Wednesday.

Probably not the choice of preparation many would make for a championship but it seems he wasn’t even sure he’d be riding so why not. “It was a really good few days” he explained adding that on Thursday he then went back to work. That evening, he did an interval or two, and after a day off the bike on Friday, went for a ride with the lads on Saturday.

So that was a pretty easy week bike wise but those two days at the theme parks would for sure have been a little hard on the legs. It didn’t show on Bank Road though as he broke the course record and won his first national title.

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Asked how he felt when he learned his time was good enough to win the championship, Adam replied “over the moon, and just gobsmacked. I did not think I would win it as they are so many fast lads out there; Joe Clarke, Dan Evans, Richard Bussell and so on who are all flying.”

It would appear from how he explains how his morning went, at home as he’s local to the event in Derbyshire, he took the whole process quite relaxed and stress free. “I got up this morning, had some porridge, chilled out, had a croissant with some Nutella on it…”

“I wasn’t that worried to be honest. I thought I’d turn up and say hello to everybody as it’s a lovely atmosphere as I know so many people here. I was going to go and support Joe and others and cheer them on”.

“I knew had to come to the event as well to pick up some medals I’d won earlier in the year so I thought I may as well have a go and ride. So I did”.

Adam, despite being a favourite in many people’s eyes before the accident, and even after it, was set off an hour before the final rider, defending champion Richard Bussell in an event where the seedings were a little on the odd side with medal winners off as early as number 64, Isaac Mundy (there were 240 riders).

So after Adam set the fastest time, it was a long wait as all the fast guys came and went. James Lowden from down south was the last rider to get close and he was third, only four tenths of a second slower than Mundy who was two seconds slower than Kenway. All of them under the old course record time.

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The win for Adam, was his biggest so far in a pretty short career. “To be national champion of anything is big and especially with the competition that is here” he said afterwards wearing the stripes. “This time last week, I thought I had no chance.”

Asked to describe the ride, he explained “the pain of a ride like this burs into one. I can feel the muscles are really sore now and I know tomorrow I’ll be in a state but at the time, the legs are burning, the lungs too and you’re getting a bit dizzy. The finish is a bit of blur by then end.”

The crowds though impressed him. “They were humungous. Monsal was very similar and I was surprised at another event at Bolsover on the Hardwick (nocturne). The crowd here though I think was ten deep at one point.”

“I’d picked a racing line on the road I was going to take as it’s a closed road, and as I raced up the climb, I thought I can’t take that line any more as the crowd were on it!”

Moving to a new team for 2017
Adam’s final race of the year on the road also signalled a new beginning as he moves from Metaltek Kuota to Cherie Pridham Racing (Raleigh GAC). Adam is the first of the team’s riders to be announced and the move is part of his ambition to ride against the very best.

Adam is a relative new comer to racing, starting in 2012 and over the years has won quite a few races as he’s moved up through the categories. One of his biggest victories was the Holme Valley Wheelers Two Day this year only for that to be bettered by being a British champion.

His new team boss, Cherie Pridham, says of the signing “we have known Adam for a number of years as he is local to the team in Derby and often trains with riders from the team. We have watched Adam progress each year and were close to signing him last year”.

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Adam racing at Monsal this year, and winning that too.

“With some UCI rule changes and Adam’s determination, dedication and commitment to his cycling career, it seemed the perfect time for Adam to come on board. We were at the Derby Arena with Sebastian Mora, Albert Torres and Jack Escritt training, when Adam spoke to us a while ago now about joining the squad. Of course we said yes and are looking forward to working with Adam who without a doubt will be a great asset to the team”.

For Adam, talking about having signed for the team before his historic win on Bank Road in the Hill Climb Championship on Sunday, the move to Raleigh GAC is one he is very excited about.

“To be joining such a big team where the racing schedule will be fantastic is really great. To race abroad as well. I’m really looking forward to testing myself against the pros from the big teams in the Tour of Britain and Yorkshire if we’re selected as well as the Tour of Normandy. I’d love to do hard grippy races. I’m also looking forward to being part of the whole setup with Chez who is fantastic to work with”.

It will be the first time Adam has ridden for a UCI team and he says signing for the team is part of his plan to progress. “It will be a step up for me but with a good winter behind me and the backup of the team, I am sure I can shine at this level”.
Adam, the quietly spoken family man, is on a mission to be the best he can be on a bike whilst he is young enough to fulfil whatever potential he has in those ‘pins’ of his. The move to Cherie Pridham Racing he sees as a perfect fit. A Derby team for a Derbyshire rider …. And a British champion no less. Thanks Adam for the chat and good luck for the challenges ahead.

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