Q & A: Gabriella Homer (Team Boompods)

Q & A with Team Boompod’s new signing for 2020 Gabriella Homer who has represented Ireland at the World and European Championships

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Q & A: Gabriella Homer (Team Boompods)

Gabby, who has represented Ireland at the World and European Championships with an impressive set of results,  also has experience on the road and says of joining her new team, “I am super excited to be joining Team Boompods for the 2020 season. After spending the last two years with Cycle Team Onform, I am really looking forward to the new challenges and meeting my new team mates. I am hoping to spend a lot more time on the bike next year as I have now completed my A Levels and I am buzzing to see what the season will bring.”

Picture: Facebook.com/TeamBoompods/

How long have you been racing?
Gaby: I have been racing seriously since I was an Under 16 but I did do few races as an Under 14 to settle into racing.

Where’s your favourite training ride?
Gaby: My favourite training ride is the Sunday Halesowen Club Ride as it’s really challenging and sets a good base over the winter.

What brought you into cycle racing?
Gaby: It was accidental really. I couldn’t ride a bike when I was younger, so my Grandma took me to the local club (Halesowen) to learn how to ride. They welcomed me and taught me. This progressed into skills and Go-Rides, which eventually prepared me for racing.

Highlights of the season 2019?
Gaby: Winning the Irish National Track Individual Pursuit and Scratch Race Title.

Has your season in 2019 been what you expected this year?
Gaby: It was quite a hectic year as I had my A levels at Sixth Form. Despite all of the time spent revising, I still had some fairly good results so I’ve been pretty happy with the year.

Is there a rider in 2019 that has stood out for you in the races you did?
Gaby: Leah Dixon had an amazing season and to me she was the stand out rider.

Best organised/fun race you did in 2019?
Gaby: The best organised race and the most fun I had this year was at the Rás Na mBan (Ireland). It was really well organised and every rider was well looked after every day. There was so much support from everyone there. It’s definitely a race I am hoping to do next season.

What was the toughest race you did in 2019?
Gaby: Again, the toughest race I did this year was the Ràs Na mBan. I’ve never done a long stage race so it was really challenging, but I did a lot better than I expected to do!

Was there one thing you learned in 2019 that stands out?
Gaby: How important it is to eat and drink before, during and after races! There were times where I didn’t eat and drink enough during races/training making the riding much harder than it needed to be.

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Any scary moments in 2019 in races?
Gaby: The finish of the Oakley Team Series Race was really scary. It was sketchy throughout the race so everyone got very nervous towards the end. The was a big crash a few meters from the finish which I managed to miss narrowly.

Do you have a role to play for the team in a race like being in breaks etc or freedom to go with moves?
Gaby: I perform best in a race when it comes down to a sprint. However, I am willing to take on any role my team wants me to do to in order to get the win.

Your bike for 2020 – what will it be and how will it be set up (groupset/wheels etc)?
Gaby: In 2020 I will be riding my Bianchi XR4. This year Team Boompods are supplying us with a set of Edco Wheels and Continental Tyres.

Favourite type of race, road race, TT or crit?
Gaby: I’ve always enjoyed road races the most. However, I did a few time trials last year and I really started to enjoy them too!

How did you spend your off season break – bike or no bike?
Gaby: My offseason started just as I started my first year at the University of Birmingham, so I spent my time off the bike and settling into Uni life.

How do you manage the training/uni challenge?
Gaby: I usually try to train between lectures if I have a gap in the day. My University also have group rides throughout the week. If I only have afternoon lectures, I train in the morning. I prefer to study in the evening, so I usually do this when I get back from lectures.

Best things about being part of your team?
Gaby: The team is really well organised and there is a lot of support from team mates as well as Nikki and Hannah, our team managers, and all of our amazing sponsors.

Finally, when do you expect to start racing in 2020?
Gaby: I expect to start my season in about March and I am really looking forward to getting stuck in.

Thank you Gaby for the Q&A and good luck in 2020 

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