Rider Chat: Jonny McEvoy (Madison Genesis)

Currently racing the Tour of Normandie, Jonny McEvoy is as hungry as ever for success with his new team, Madison Genesis

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Rider Chat: Jonny McEvoy (Madison Genesis)

Photo: Madison Genesis

Over many years, St Helens rider Jonny McEvoy has had his share of success racing his bike, so much so he rode at Pro Conti level for a few years in Europe in the biggest races. For a few years now though, he has returned back home to the British scene and after a lot of podiums in 2016, he’s determined to turn those into victories.

It’s been quite something the last six months for Jonny. His team NFTO folded late last year and he had to find a new team whilst his wife Charlie was expecting their first child. Find a team he did at Madison Genesis and for Jonny and his wife Charlie, they had the best Christmas present ever with the birth of their son George.

Now Jonny is in the notoriously tough Tour of Normandie getting some racing miles in ahead of a busy season in Britain and abroad. In 2016, Jonny was second in the Tour of Reservoir, third three times in the Tour Series and second in another round as well plus many other top ten placings during the season.

So it was a good season but Jonny wants to turn those seconds and thirds into victories for his new team Madison Genesis. “I was made up when they offered me a ride” Jonny said at Madison UK’s HQ in Milton Keynes.

“But I want to change those seconds and thirds into wins this season as no-one remembers who was second. I feel more determined than ever to win races because last season it would have changed everything. I feel I have learnt a lot”.

Jonny explained that after his wife Charlie gave birth to George, it has massively changed his life and made him more hungry for success adding he appreciates things more like going out on the bike.

Photo: Madison Genesis

With George having been born during the winter, Jonny admits it was chaos but they went into the winter having planned for that and now he has a routine with his wife that enables him to train and spend time with the new born.

“I feel sorry for anyone who has a baby during the season” Jonny told us “I don’t know they manage but with my wife we have a routine and it enables me to train and it’s the best thing ever to come home to the baby, and the maddest thing too!”

A new start with a new team
Jonny was speaking to us after his first training camp where he admits he could see how professionally run the team is. “It’s spot on and more like Netapp (former German pro conti team) with the season planning and the training etc”.

Looking ahead to the season of racing, Jonny says he definitely wants to do the big road races as well as change the second and thirds into wins. “Lincoln is always a good one where I’ve been third and I like Rutland too even though it can be a lottery with punctures”.

On his winter training, he explained “I didn’t have as long off as I have done. I trained well before the baby was born so I could have time off after he was born. I didn’t do loads but I am lot fitter than I was this time last year when I was getting married.”

His base in St Helens provides a lot of options when it comes to training routes including ones as away as North Wales and also the circuit for the third prem this year at Chorley. “It’s a brilliant race with that climb I’ve done a lot in training and one that makes for an interesting race. It would be nice to be fit into going into that.”

After a week in Normandie, Jonny will certainly have plenty of racing miles in his legs and perhaps will emulate his training partner and best friend, Ian Bibby’s victory in the Chorley GP race. Asked if he misses racing in Europe, Jonny replies “I miss some of the racing”.

“It was great doing some of the biggest races in the world but I enjoy it here in Britain and with Madison Genesis, we’ll have a good mix of British events and Continental ones like Tro Bro Leon which is a fantastic race; like Rutland but more extreme!”

Thanks to Jonny for the chat and all the best for 2017

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