Question time with Tom Grigson of Bikestrong-KTM who enjoyed being on the big stage at the Tour Series in 2018 and is looking forward to his home race, the Bristol GP in 2019
![]() |
Q&A: Tom Grigson (Bikestrong-KTM)
VeloUK: How did you get into the sport of cycling?
Tom: My wife thought it was a good idea for us to do something together after I finished playing rugby. Sorry Laura…
VeloUK: Full time rider, student or working?
Tom: Full time worker, husband and dad. Determined in 2019 to show you don’t need to be a fake pro to get results
VeloUK: Best result for you in 2018?
Tom: Most definitely my 3rd at the European Masters Cup in Mallorca. Came after a super stressful time at work and virtually two weeks off the bike.
VeloUK: Best organised/fun race you did in 2018?
Tom: Tour Series in Redditch. Mega experience and gave out my first autograph. Got round.
VeloUK: Toughest race of 2018?
Tom: Winchester Town Centre crit which doubled as the South Regional Champs. Super technical, for me harder than the Tour Series.
VeloUK: Best moment in a race or funniest moment in a race in 2018?
Tom: Getting announced on the podium for the Tour Series at Aberystwyth and dishing out autographs, then casually chatting with Ed Clancy afterwards. It was a nice reminder that I’m actually just a fan of cycling who’s been lucky enough to get a chance on a bigger stage.
… continued after advert
VeloUK: Do you train alone or have others to help you get through the ride?
Tom: Mostly alone these days.
VeloUK: In the winter, training on the road or indoors?
Tom: Prefer the road but often found at 6am on the turbo
VeloUK: How many hours on the bike can you fit in during an average winter training week?
Tom: 10 is a good week
VeloUK: Is there any off the bike training (running/swimming/gym etc)?
Tom: Bit of gym, the odd walk/hike
VeloUK: Do you train with any gadgets (Heart rate/power) or just go on ‘feel’ of the ride?
Tom: All of the above. Power meter helps me get the most out of my limited training time
VeloUK: Are you eager to race again or happy to wait for the first to come along in 2019?
Tom: Eager yes, but experience says there’s no point flying in January as it’s a long ol’ season!
VeloUK: Are you doing anything different in training this winter than last one?
Tom: Not really, just working more on carrying my form from Mallorca. Used the race in October as a springboard to winter training, seems to be working so far. Hoping to find some sun in spring to get some miles in
… continued after advert
VeloUK: Which races are you looking forward to most in 2019
Tom: Excited by Bristol GP now the out-and-back loop rumpit has resurfaced, as it is my local race
VeloUK: Favourite pre race meal?
Tom: Overnight oats with chocolate protein powder, fruit and cinnamon
VeloUK: Favourite race drink?
Tom: My mix of half pineapple juice, half coconut water tastes good, but most effective for me is Torq’s lemon and lime powder. I use an extra scoop per bottle to avoid cramps
VeloUK: Best one thing you learned about racing in 2018?
Tom: Just chill, read the moves and trust your legs. Spent too long over-thinking it for the most part, my best results came when I relaxed.
VeloUK: Favourite professional to watch on tele (male or female) and favourite race(s) you like to watch and inspire you?
Tom: I’m a big Spring Classics fan, and love watching Roubaix and Flanders, plus all the smaller races. I just love the way one day classics are raced. It’d be a cliche to say I’m a big Geraint Thomas fan, but I am. I’m also a big fan of riders like Jasper Stuyven and Michael Valgren, strong guys who roll the dice in big races.
VeloUK: Your bike for 2019 will be what and what’s the best thing about it?
Tom: We’ve got a secret KTM weapon for this year, which is exciting. I’ve seen some pics and it looks mint.
Cycle Division’s Shop
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Result: British Men’s RR Championship
- Result: British Women’s RR Championship
- Features, Reports, Results
- Result: Ilkley Town Centre Races
- Result: Royal Navy & Marines CA 10m TT
- Result: City Road Club Hull 10m TT
- Result: Essex Roads 11.5m TT
- Result: Lichfield No Frills 2
- Result: Team LDN – Brother UK Summer Crit Series 3
- Result: Henstridge Circuit Races 4
- Result: Harvey Hadden Crit Series 5
- Result: Isle of Man Youth League
- Result: Mens Otley Grand Prix
- Result: Santini Women’s Otley Grand Prix
- News: Shimano 105 Di2 Ribble Range
- Result: SACA Salt Ayre Tuesday 12
- Result: West Thames League 14
- Result: Tameside Tuesday League 10
- Result: Lotus Cars Cycle Race League 9
- Result: Brooks Cycles Track League
- Result: Hove Park Crits 2
- Result: Port Talbot Wheelers TTT
- Result: Warrington RC TTT
- Result: Severn RC 10m TT
- Result: Salford CC 25m TT
- Result: ECCA 10m TT
- Result: Utag RT 10m TT
- Result: LRRA 10m Time Trial
- Result: VC Glasgow South 10m TT
- Result: Cliff Pratt Deca Community Crits 5
- Result: Kent Valley RC 10m TT
- Result: Sussex CA 50m TT
- Result: Thanet RC 25m TT
- Result: Colchester Rovers CC 47m TT
- Result: Kent Valley RC 25m TT
- Result: Oxonian CC 25m TT
- Result: Houghton CC 25m TT
- Result: Giant Helston 25m TT
- Result: King and Queen of the Bowl 4
- Result: Santini Bovingdon Bomber Summer Series
- Result: Castle Combe Summer Series 7
- Result: L’Etape de la Defonce 2-day
- Result: Omega Circuits
Other News on VeloUK
- News: Shimano 105 Di2 Ribble Range
- News: Ben Healy wins Irish national time trial
- Events: Fort Vale Colne Grand Prix is back!
- News: Pedal Club Lunch, June ‘22
- Latest Podcast: Brother Cycling UK
- Commonwealth Games: UK Islands
- Commonwealth Games: Wales
- News: British Championships on TV
- Commonwealth Games: Team England
- Startlist: Stockton Grand Prix Women
- Preview: 2022 Cicle Classic Day 2
- News: Mildenhall Cycling Mini-Fest
- News: Scottish CX Champs for Dundee
- Events: Bath CC Women’s Road Race
- Startlist: 2022 CiCLE Classic (Women)
- Startlist Stockton Grand Prix Men
- Startlist: Junior Men’s CiCLE Classic
- Riders: British Road Championships
- 2022 Women’s Tour
- Next Week: Women’s Tour
- New Shoes Anyone?
- News: Sammie Stuart goes UCI!
- News: Brother UK Sponsors Biggest UK Races
- Scottish Team for Commonwealth Games
- Events: BikeStow Three-Day
- Startlists: Junior Road Championships 2022
- Feature: The Pedal Club Lunch May
- Barnsley Road Club Races This Sunday
- Sunday: Proper Northern Road Race Series 2
- This weekend: 48th Totnes Vire Two Day
- 2022 British Road Championships Venues
- TOUR SERIES: Round 3 (Sunderland) (Men)
- Startlist: Tour Series Round 1 Guisborough
- 2022 Tour Series Rider Squads Revealed
- News: Simon Yates to Vuelta a Asturias
- Events: Shrewsbury Sports Village
- News: 2022 Women’s CiCLE Classic Saved!
- Startlists: 2022 Rapha Lincoln GP
- Startlist: Oakenclough RR
- News: ŠKODA DSI Cycling Academy