Team News: Harrison Jones (Vitus Pro Cycling)

In our continuing look at the new Vitus Pro Cycling UCI team, we chat to Harrison Jones who last year was in Albert Contador’s Under 23 development team and for 2018, returns to racing in Britain

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Team News: Harrison Jones (Vitus Pro Cycling)

Here’s a rider who is either very honest or very funny because when asked how he got into cycling, Harrison’s blunt reply was “I was fat, Dad forced me to ride a bike, I started whooping him and here we are”. Here we are indeed – concise answers, we like that!

Harrison Jones is a rider who has already had a lot of experience for a young rider. The third year senior in 2018 has ridden races like the Irish RAS and Tour of Normandy to name but two and as a former rider for Pedal Heaven, Harrison is well aware of what the demands will be on him as a rider at this level.

After his season with at Pedal Heaven, Harrison took flight for warmer climates and raced for a Spanish team in 2017. “I rode for the Alberto Contador Under 23 Team and picked up some good results along the way, and took an infinite amount of experience in cycling and in life. My most enjoyable period was competing in the pro races in Belgium in the summer, and with enjoyment came my best results which I’m looking to now improve on taking this confidence into the new year.”

Getting a ride in a UCI team is never easy for riders unless they are well known established winners. For younger riders, getting that break can be hard work and when asked how he felt when he got the call from Cherie, he says “I was very excited and immediately at ease after quickly realising that Cherie and I could work very well together after our meeting. Taking into consideration her aims for the year, I found they fitted into what I was looking for perfectly”.
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Harrison goes on to say “I’ve been looking for the opportunity to prove my worth in the big UCI British races and abroad whilst having the option to pursue ambitions in the Tour Series at the same time. So, to have that chance with a British UCI team is amazing as it means I can try and fulfil all my goals for the year in various races.”

Asked what he learnt racing his first senior year with a British team in 2016, he explains “Whilst I raced a lot abroad in 2015/16, in the big British races I competed in, I learnt how the races are controlled or not so in some races, and therefore how to ride them and go for the win. With Cherie’s experience and guys like Josh (Hunt) on the team, I think we can all use this experience collectively to take on every race we are in”.

Asked what he feels his strengths are, he replies “I enjoy the short punchy climbs and can sprint well from a small group. I want to develop that this year for road racing and crits”.
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Chatting about career highlights so far, Harrison says “my favourite and most enjoyable result was the GP Briek Schotte Pro Race in Belgium in August. A run of form around that time gave me a few highlights which will give me a big stepping stone for the races with Vitus.” And his toughest races? “The Spanish stage races were the biggest change for me. Racing in Andalucía in the summer means nearly 40 degree stages with five classified mountains which you simply can’t replicate in the UK. It was a tough experience but also very enjoyable”.

With the season still to get going, Harrison says he’s busy training for a British season. “Preparing for a British season is somewhat different. I’ve pushed my endurance training to another level to ensure I can produce big efforts at the back end of long races such as nationals or prem’s” adding that at the time we spoke he was Southern Spain where he was able to get in 20+ hours with specific efforts.

And finally – goals for 2018? – “Go large in every race” he replies. Again, very concise answers! Good luck to Harrison for 2018.

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