Q&A: Jez McCann (Richardsons Trek)

Another end of year Q&A, this time with Jez McCann (Richardsons Trek) about his season and looking ahead to 2017

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Q&A: Jez McCann (Richardsons Trek)

1. How did you get into cycle racing?
Jez: My Dad took me to my first cycling club when I was 5 years old. It was a club for kids in Wilmington called team Darenth and is still going strong now. I had some of my best years there and was never too serious. It was just about having fun on the bike which I think is important at that age.

2. What’s your favourite discipline in cycling?
Jez: I grew up doing mostly cyclo cross and road racing and the occasional mountain bike race but would have to say road is my favourite. I just love riding my bike fast so it would have to be road.

3. What is the best thing about bike racing?
Jez: Winning and travelling which is ironic as travelling is probably the worst as well as the best!

4. What was the highlight of 2016 for you and why?
Jez: Highlight for 2016 was definitely winning an elite Kermesse in Belgium. It was a particularly strong field that day too so beating the Under 23 cyclo cross world champ and Under 23 Australian national champion made it extra special. Plus my dad and coach were there.

5. What was the toughest race of 2016 for you and why?
Jez: The toughest race of 2016 has to be the Tour of Reservoir just because of the weather. Rain, wind and even snow and to make it harder for myself, I made the early break on the second day which I quickly regretted but still got stuck in. I was literally hanging onto a thread from kilometre one to finish. Probably the most relieved I’ve been to finish a race too.

6. If there was one thing you learned most in 2016 to help you go faster/better, what was that?
Jez: I learnt a lot about myself in 2016. The biggest lesson I think was to just be patient. I’ve always struggled holding back if I can attack, I would, but that’s not how to win races and I learnt that the hard way this year.

7. What is the best piece of equipment (clothing/bike/gadget) to do with racing you are proud of most?
Jez: Proudest bit of equipment has to be the team Trek SL Emonda bike. I always appreciate it so much more when you’ve been hacking all winter on your training bike with full mud guards ete then you hop onto your race bike and feels like you’re just hovering!

8. What’s in store for 2017?
Jez: I have big plans for 2017. The first part of the season, I will be looking for results in the British Premier Calendar races and then second half of season will take me to Belgium where I would like to win a few more kermesses and top tens in interclubs. I rode Belgium’s prestigious Tour of East Flanders this year so that will be a big target of mine this year. Also, to make selection for 2018 Commonwealth Games for Scotland.

9. Finally, what have you learnt over the years to best deal with the winter months on a bike!
Jez: I’ve learnt over the years training through harsh British winters to just get stuck in. Sometimes it’s nice to have a good moan and lets face it, we’ve all at some point on the bike, lost it and screamed at the rain or brutal head wind to just f*ck off, but it never does so I’ve just learnt to keep quiet and get on with it and cape up.

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