Q & A: Sophie Enever (Team 22)

Quiz with Team 22’s Sophie Enever who tells us what the most fun race was in 2016 and her goals for 2017, Ta Sophie!

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Q & A: Sophie Enever (Team 22)

Sophie says the best thing about being a part of Team 22 is that it’s got a lot of ambition and really supports women’s racing. Here’s her Q & A! Thank you Sophie!

1. How did you get into cycle racing
Sophie: I started racing around four years ago. I started cycling to give my dad company after he was recovering from torn knee ligaments.

2. What’s your favourite discipline in cycling?
Sophie: My favourite discipline is road, normally flat or rolling races as I’m no mountain goat!

3. What is the best thing about bike racing?
Sophie: Travelling to different countries and all around the UK. Also, I have always been a competitive person and racing gives you such a buzz.

4. What was the highlight of 2016 for you and why?
Sophie: My highlight was winning the Points competition at the North West Junior Tour. Also finishing the Ras na mBan which was by far the most brutal race I have ever competed in and I was very proud to finish it after a big crash.

5. What was your favourite/most fun race of 2016
Sophie: Probably the first ever Women’s CiCLE classic as the varied terrain really made the race exiting. It was tough but fun!

6. What was the toughest race of 2016 for you and why?
Sophie: The Ras na mBan, as previously mentioned. Simply because it was the furthest I had ever racing before in 5 days and the weather in Ireland isn’t exactly tropical! Also, I was only 16 competing against women who have been racing, some professionally for many years was a big step up.

7. If there was one thing you learned most in 2016 to help you go faster/better, what was that?
Sophie: To tell myself to enjoy the races more and not take them too seriously because if I overthink things, I normally don’t perform as well. Also, to have more confidence in my ability as you can normally achieve more than you think you can.

8. What is the best piece of equipment (clothing/bike/gadget) to do with racing you are proud of most?
Sophie: My Specialized S-Works Amira. It is matte black with a hint of different colours and it’s just too beautiful!

9. What is your warm up routine for races – rollers or turbo? Music or no music?
Sophie: I use rollers just because they are easier to carry around and I find them easier to spin my legs on as there is no resistance. I love music so definetly that as it calms my nerves and really gets me ready for the race.

In 2017, Team 22, as in other years, will be in Bioracer kit 

10. 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?
Sophie: The majority of my winter training will be in the UK. However in February, I will spend two weeks in Spain preparing for next season, I can’t wait!

11. When will you start training for 2017 and what comes first – long steady miles or a mix of miles and efforts?
Sophie: I started in October. I do a mix of long miles and efforts. However as I am doing my A levels, it can be hard to fit long miles in during the week, so that’s what my weekends are used for.

12. What are the goals for 2017?
Sophie: To progress on my results from last year and compete in most/all the national women’s races. Also, I hope to race abroad more, to gain more experience.

13. Does winter training consist only of riding the bike or running/swimming/gym work (cross training)
Sophie: I do two gym sessions a week as well as on the bike. If the weather gets too grim for miles on the bike and the turbo doesn’t appeal, swimming is great. As I was a swimmer before cycling.

14. Finally, what have you learnt over the years to best deal with the winter months on a bike!
Sophie: Just thinking of the upcoming season and what I want to achieve. I keep telling myself it’s all worth it in the long run and to just keep pushing.

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