Q & A: Jacob Vaughan (VC Londres)

Wearing number 1 in this weekend’s junior Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne is British Champion Jacob Vaughan – we quiz him on his second in the Perfs

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Q & A: Jacob Vaughan (VC Londres)

Wearing number 1 in this weekend’s junior Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne is British Champion Jacob Vaughan – we quiz him on his second in the Perfs.

Jacon (right) was second in the Perfs Pedal

Jacob will be part be of a South East team along with Oliver Robinson, Louis Rose-Davies, Thomas Easley and Theo Modell and the race Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne for Juniors is one the country has a great recent history in. As well as last year’s winner Ethan Hayter, there was also James Shaw in 2014, Adam Blythe in 2007 and Geraint Thomas in 2003.

So no pressure Jacob and the rest of the team! Also riding that race will be HMT JLT Condor with bronze medallist from the Junior CX Worlds, Ben Turner, Georg Mew Jensen, Charlie White, Will Draper and Jamie Ridehalgh. If that isn’t enough, there is also a GB team with Jacob’s teammate at VC Londres, Fred Wright, Jake Stewart, Rhys Britton, Joe Nally and Jim Brown.

Quite a British junior line up and proof of the strength there is in the junior ranks these days. And the Junior champion in 2016 was Jacob Vaughan and here is his post Perfs Pedal (he was second) Q & A :

1. How did you feel your race went at the Perfs Pedal?
Jacob: I felt I Road the race well and tried to be conservative during the early stages so I could handle making the final break towards the back end of the race. I was very happy with my result …

2. Bike Channel Canyon showed they were beatable – did you feel that when they were dominating the moves in numbers?
Jacob: I knew Bike Channel would split the race on the first climb so just made sure I was firmly latched onto the back of their train. Bike Channel rode a very tactical race, they had big numbers in the break allowing them to make us other riders work hard to chase. They always had a rider at the front of the race.

3. How was the finale of the race for you?
Jacob: There was a lot of cat and mouse until 500 metres to go when it really picked up and I was surprised to have the legs to be able to stay on the back of Chris (above) but just didn’t quite have enough to come around.

4. How has your winter training been before the race – in the UK or camps abroad as well?
Jacob: All of my training this winter has been done in the UK. Although I feel it would be nice to go abroad, I don’t feel it is needed. Also this British weather builds some character and toughens you up!

5. Was the Perfs your first race of 2017?
Jacob: Perfs was my first big race of 2017. I did a couple of winter crits to get my racing legs back but I’ve had quite a packed start to the season with the national senior track champs.

Jacob above sprinting in on his Boardman Bike and he explained “I won the national champs last year and I was kindly given another Boardmans bike to ride so a massive thanks to them as they have really helped me and its a lovely bike to ride”.

6. How did you make sure you had your race legs at the Perfs – intervals in training, chain gangs, or turbo work?
Jacob: I find the track helps me to build quite a bit of speed so I was riding winter track league throughout winter. I also ride a Thursday night chain gang which is always a nasty session. I don’t enjoy going on the turbo so I will try and do as much as I can out on the road, but when there’s ice, there’s no option but to hop on the turbo.

7. What is the next race goal for you?
Jacob: My next goal is this coming weekend at Junior Kuurne Brussels Kuurne where I’m hoping for a good result.

8. Which events are your season goals for 2017?
Jacob: I would love to win the National Champs again and that’s one of my biggest goals, but I also hope to get some good results in Belgium.

9. Finally, how did you get started in cycle racing and what’s the best thing about it for you?
Jacob: My dad was the main thing that got me motivated to start cycling. I started on his old Emperor Sport before I was bought a Bianchi. It wasn’t until just over two years ago when I was fed up with playing football and started taking my cycling a lot more serious.

Cycling is such an amazing sport and I’m lucky enough to get to do some amazing races. I was really fortunate to have the support of John Barclay this season and he has taught me a lot. He takes me and the South East cycling team over to Belgium for all the big UCI races. I also had an amazing experience of seeing South Korea when I went over there to do a stage race. Cycling gives me the freedom to ride wherever I want and that’s why it’s so enjoyable.

Thank you Jacob – Read a blog by Jacob here and good luck to Jacob this weekend in Belgium.

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