Quickfire Q & A: Thomas Whatley

Quickfire Q & A with road race and time trial rider Thomas Whatley with PB under 20 minutes for the 10, he’d love to win the 25 champs if on offer!

Quickfire Q & A: Thomas Whatley

1. Full time rider or do you have to juggle work with racing?
Juggle work in the city with riding/racing evenings and weekends.

2. Highlight of 2017 was?
Placing 39th in the National 25. Started the year with very modest TT pbs, and expectations. Managed to find a chunk of speed to get on both 10 and 25 all time fastest lists, but the most satisfying was the Nat 25. Couldn’t have done anything more performance wise, so it felt great.

3. Most difficult moment of 2017?
Having a mechanical on stage 1 of the Surrey League May 3 day stage race. Gutting. Chain stuck between BB, chain catcher and chain rings. Cut my hand to bits yanking the chain out, then had to ride the rest of the stage bleeding all over my leg to be able to start the next day. Grim.

4. Most enjoyable race of 2017
Road race was Surrey League Barcombe 2/3 in September. Active all race, got in a good break and thought we’d go to the end together, eventually got caught but still held on for 12th. Not a great result itself, but was good fun and tough racing. TTing would have been the end of season 10 on P881R. The rain just about held off and the legs were there enough to bag a long 18, very chuffed with that one.

5. Toughest race of 2017
For me Stage 2 of the May 3 day. Gritty, fast, attritional, and working all race to try and close up gaps and chase for the team leader, which didn’t work out in the end either.

6. Typical week training mid-season Mon – Fri (summary or detailed)
Commuting to work an hour a day, low quality city riding, then usually another hour or two riding and or intervals as well. Sometimes longer evening rides out to the hills when time and light allows.

7. Most dreaded drill/session in training
FTP test, would rather do a TT any day.
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8. Its interval day – turbo or out in the fresh air?
Fresh air, weather and light permitting.

9. Winter is here – what type of ride do you do for your base rides?
Easy zone 2 long rides at the weekend. Not what I ride for, but needs must.

10. What bike will you race on in 2018 and why this bike?
Cervelo S3 for RR, Cervelo P5 for TTs. Both aero, stiff and not especially heavy.

11. What will the goals be for 2018?
Place higher in the National TTs, win some road races.

12. Finally, if you could pick one event to win in 2017 which one would it be?
Go big or go home, I’ll have the Nat 25 if it’s being offered up!

14 TT – favourite distance
10m TT,

15. What training drill has helped you most go faster in time trials
Just getting on the TT bike at least once a week and getting accustomed to holding the position with watts.

16. Fastest course you rode in 2017?
E2/25 or P881R

17. Dragstrip or sporting circuit course?
Dragstrip!