Q & A with Tim Allen of Vision Innovative Leisure Race Team

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VeloUK quizzes Tim Allen of Vision Innovative Leisure Race Team about his season this year, his favourite bit of kit and goals for 2017

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Q & A with Tim Allen of Vision Innovative Leisure Race Team
(photos  Ellen Isherwood and Keith Lansley )

In this question and answer, we quiz Tim Allen of Vision Innovative Leisure Race Team who says of his team “the best thing about being a part of Vision Innovative Leisure Race Team is the support we get from all the people running the team, our sponsors and especially our U23 coach, Scott Holmes who does a lot for us, all out of good will and love for the sport.”

1. What was the highlight of 2016 for you and why?
Tim:  The highlight of the year for me was the Milton Keynes 2 day stage race because we had a great weekend as a team. I got a top ten in the prologue, my team mate got 2nd in the crit then on the final day I made the race winning break with my team mate, Frazier Carr, which resulted in him taking the stage and I managed to win the overall GC!

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2. What was your favourite/most fun race of 2016
Tim: My favourite race of 2016 was the final stage at the Manchester 2 day. There were three guys two minutes up the road so with 1 lap to go, I attacked and managed to solo the last lap and take 4th. Although I didn’t win the race, I felt this was one of my best rides this year as it all came together after a tough start to the season and it was the start of a good end to the season.

3. What was the toughest race of 2016 for you and why?
Tim: The toughest race of the season for me was the Will Houghton Memorial RR. It was being run by our coach in memory of our team mate who we sadly lost at the start of the year. It was a big target for us as a team but things didn’t go to plan and we missed the break which went early. This combined with the fact we had a strong showing in the bunch meant we were leant on to do all the chasing and although we managed to bring it back to within sight at the finish, we were unable to get the win we wanted.

4. If there was one thing you learned most in 2016 to help you go faster/better, what was that?
Tim:  Rest! I used to think it was all about doing as much training as possible but now I’ve learnt that especially leading up to races, it is good to have a slight rest and be fresh.

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5. What is the best piece of equipment (clothing/bike/gadget) to do with racing you are proud of most?
Tim:  My favourite is my Canyon Aeroad with Dura Ace and integrated carbon handle bars which I saved for and brought myself at the start of this year! It just looks awesome and feels fast to ride.

6. What is your warm up routine for races – rollers or turbo? Music or no music?
Tim: I like to warm up on the rollers, starting easy and getting progressively harder with a few short sprints at the end. I like to listen to music to get focused and think about what I’m going to try and do in the race.

7. What’s your favourite discipline on the road; road racing/crits/time trials and why!
Tim: Tough question, I love road racing but am also a big fan of a time trial. I got 6th at the Junior national 25-mile Championship last year and managed to do a 19 minute 10 this year. I just find time trials a good way to test my form and I also love all the aero tech you can get nowadays! … continued after advert

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8. Will you stay in the UK to prepare for next season during the winter or get in a training camp or two abroad to get in some serious miles?
Tim: I will be mainly in the UK this winter as I am in my second year at Oxford Brookes University but I have arranged to go to Tenerife for 10 days in January with some friends to rack up some long miles in the warmer weather!

9. When will you start training for 2017 and what comes first – long steady miles or a mix of miles and efforts?
Tim: I have been back training for six weeks now after having a few weeks completely off the bike to recover but am back training now and loving it! It’s mainly long steady miles at moment with a couple of harder sessions a week, including the dreaded over geared hill reps.

10. Do you use a special winter bike with mudguards etc or using a normal race like training bike?
Tim: I am lucky in that I have quite a nice winter bike, my old Giant TCR which I have set up like my Canyon but with mudguards, winter wheels/tyres and a new 105 groupset.

11. What are the goals for 2017?
Tim:  I have a few goals for 2017. On the road, I want to get top 10s in National B’s, as well as win a few more regional A’s. On the time trials side, the big goal is to try and break the 19 minute barrier for a 10 and also go sub 50 minutes for a 25 mile time trial.

12. With darkness now upon us, are the long rides now only on the weekend and how many hours a week would you do in a typical week?
Tim:  I am lucky, being at University because I can fit a few longer rides in around lectures during the week but also do like to get in a couple of big rides at the weekend. I have been averaging around 13-16 hours a week at the moment, all my training is on my Strava profile: Tim Allen (Vision Innovative Leisure RT).

13. Does winter training consist only of riding the bike or running/swimming/gym work (cross training)
Tim: Winter training is mainly about riding the bike for me, but I do a couple of Pilates sessions a week to build my core strength and flexibility.

14. Finally, what have you learnt over the years to best deal with the winter months on a bike!
Tim: There’s no reason to let bad weather stop you training, as long as you have your goals in mind and the right kit, get out there and put in the hard work so you can enjoy the racing next year!

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