Taking up the challenge (thnx) of the VeloUK Q & A is Michael Burke (Welland Valley) who has some top 10s in National B’s to his name in 2017
Q & A: Michael Burke (Welland Valley)
The Quickie Primera Sports Warmup Q & A
— Favourite Movie? Blood Diamond.
— Favourite Food? Chilli Con carne.
— Favourite Song? Robert Owens – I’ll Be Your Friend.
— Favourite training session? 2 x 20 minutes is always good.
— Favourite place to ride? Local roads around South Leicestershire.
— Pre race meal? Usually a sandwich made for the journey down and coffee usually from a drive through Costa!
— Post race meal? Usually a sandwich made for the journey back.
— Train alone or in a group? Usually alone. Sometimes train with Jordan Peacock and Phil Rayner.
— Turbo or road? Road.
— Strengths? Discipline and Determination.
— Weaknesses? Desserts after dinner.
— Bar or gel? Gel.
— Tea or coffee? Coffee.
— Long socks or short? Long.
— Bath or shower? Baths when I have time.
— Dog or cat? Dog.
— Costa or Starbucks? Costa.
— Guilty pleasure? Chocolate.
— Shaved legs or waxed? Shaved.
— Preferred discipline? Road.
— If you could change one thing about the sport, what would it be? Cheaper bikes and racing. It’s an expensive sport.
— Best performance in 2017? 2nd in the March Hare Classic.
— What is the most valuable thing you learnt from the 2017 season? Keep going, you never know what will come out of it.
— Main goal for 2018? Keep improving.
— What will you bring to your club/team for 2018? Hopefully I will be able to add to what is already a great atmosphere.
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The Main Course Q & A
1. Full time rider or do you have to juggle work with racing?
MB: I have to juggle work with racing. It can sometimes be very difficult to find the right balance however hopefully I think I’ve nearly got it right. (I have a very supportive wife who helps me be race ready!)
2. Highlight of 2017 was?
MB: Some of the results in March were great, it was probably my best time of year. Particularly 2nd place in the March Hare which was a big surprise. Keeping my 1st Cat Licence was also very rewarding.
3. Most difficult moment of 2017?
MB: Snapping a spoke in the Leicester Forest Road Race. I was on home roads and it was disappointing not to be able to finish.
4. Most enjoyable race of 2017
MB: Duncan Sparrow Road Race, (despite the rain).
5. Toughest race of 2017
MB: Jeff Schils, I picked up a bit of a cold overnight so I knew I was in for a hard day!
6. Typical week training mid-season Mon – Fri
MB: Usually try to keep it under 2 hours due to work in the week. 40 minutes of Sweet Spot would be a typical session.
7. Most dreaded drill/session in training
MB: 5-minute Intervals are always hard.
8. Its interval day – turbo or out in the fresh air?
MB: Fresh Air.
9. Winter is here – what type of ride do you do for your base rides?
MB: At this time of year, I just try to get the miles in. I will start to think about some harder things soon though.
10. What bike will you race on in 2018 and why this bike?
MB: SWorks Tarmac, It’s just a great bike! I had a Specialized Tarmac before and it never let me down so I have just upgraded a bit.
11. What will the goals be for 2018?
MB: Just keep trying to improving, do my best and if I am able to stay at the same level that would be great. Carry on enjoying the road and hopefully not get injured!!
12. Finally, if you could pick one event to win in 2017 which one would it be?
MB: I have not won a National B yet so any of those would do!
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