Q&A: Tom Temple (Bath Junior Road Team)

Former Primera TeamJobs rider Tom Temple to race for Bath Junior Road Team – we quiz him on his 2016 season & 2017 goals

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Q&A: Tom Temple (Bath Junior Road Team)

Tom has joined Bath JRT this season to be part of a junior team. He says of the change of team, “I’m looking forward to racing in longer road races and working together as a team. Supporting and getting support is one part of racing I really enjoy.”

1. How did you get into cycle racing?
Tom: I started racing triathlon when I was 8, loved the cycling part of the sport which soon took over. My dad owns a cycle business (Primera Sports) and always had team riders so I’ve grown up with the sport and cycling nuts.

2. What’s your favourite discipline in cycling.
Tom: I ride track, crits and as a first year junior, I’m racing on the road this year. Watching road races has always excited me so I’m really looking forward to this new season. I rode Glenn Longland’s Sandie Radford road race as it’s a TLI event and open to youth riders. It was great mixing it with the seniors on the open roads, loved it. Glenn holds some great racing in the New Forest which are well supported by riders.

3. What’s the best thing about cycle racing?
Tom: The thrill of racing on two wheels, hammering into corners then attacking out of them. I love having team mates in the race where you can try and help each other to get the best position. I’ve played various team sports and really enjoy seeing team members do well, we all get our own day in the end.

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4. What’s was the highlight of 2016 for you and why?
Tom: London Youth GP. I got selected for a four rider team for the South of England so team work came into it. It was a fast race on a man made crit circuit at Lee Valley. It’s a great circuit with technical sections and some fast hills. Having so many spectators on the side really made the atmosphere. Nice having team mates looking out for each other. One of our riders unfortunately came off but only had a few cuts.

5. What’s your favourite/most fun race of 2016?
Tom: Winchester Park & Ride events. I raced the youth races first then the senior races. It’s a fast circuit but lots of fun. Each race racing against your mates in the youth race then taking the seniors on. Fun days and great races.

6. What’s was the toughest race of 2016 for you and why?
Tom: Youth national Crits in Cardiff. Course was full of potholes, pouring down rain, 80 plus riders and full on. Loved the course on warm up laps and felt good. During the race front wheel got took away so ended up in hospital with broken elbow. Must have been six crashes with five riders in hospital through different crashes. Six weeks on the Turbo and it was back to racing.

7. If there was one thing you learnt most in 2016 to help you go faster/better what was that?
Tom: Don’t crash!

8. What is the best piece of equipment (clothing/bike/gadget) to do with racing you are proud of most?
Tom: My Garmin. It’s a great tool for logging all your rides. Load your data to training peaks and your coach can log in and keep a close eye on you. It’s good to know you have someone watching over you and advising on your sessions.

9. What is your warm up routine for races-rollers or turbo? Music or no music?
Tom: Rollers for track warm ups but sometimes use Turbo for Crits if it’s wet. Seen too many riders hit the deck on rollers with wet tyres, never looks cool rolling round in front of everyone. Not that bothered about music but if I do it’s rag and bone man.

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?
Tom: Mainly UK but we have some great indoor tracks. I love Mallorca and we do get our there each year.

11. When will you start training for 2017 and what comes first- long steady miles or a mix of miles and efforts?
Tom: I’ve been training since November with long miles and track work. Racing starts in January so already on efforts.

12. Does this winter consist only of riding the bike or running/swimming/gym work (cross training)
Tom: Mainly cycling with some gym work.

13. Finally what have you learnt over the years to best deal with the winter months on the bike?
Tom: Use good clothing and lights which work well, best quality seem to last longer and perform well. Although I do a lot of hours by myself, I do try and hook up with a mate for long Sunday rides. I also watch a lot of racing on You-Tube which keeps me keen.

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