LOCKDOWN! Q&A with Tom Mazzone of Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK

We continue our series looking at riders in Lockdown by quizzing Tom Mazzone of Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK who is on the Isle of Man

LOCKDOWN! Q&A with Tom Mazzone of Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK

See all the Lockdown Q&A’s from the Vitus Pro Cycling team p/b Brother UK on their Facebook page as the features are added

Q: Your last race was and what memories do you have of it (good and bad)?
Tom: I was lucky enough to actually start my 2020 season with two UCI races in Europe. The second and last race I did was GP Ville de Lillers, a 1.2 in Northern France, a tough race in grim conditions but a race I enjoyed where I was starting to find some race legs after the winter season. I was able to get myself into a position to challenge for the win in the final kilometres but after a long, wet and cold race lacked a little in the final kick to the line but definitely positives to take from that race.

Q: With racing cancelled, what’s a typical week training wise for you?
Tom: I am still training well at the moment. Obviously there is some uncertainty on when we will resume racing so the intensity of efforts has dropped off a little but the duration has stayed pretty similar, although with a little more time on the bike being indoors.

Q: Are you enjoying using the turbo or avoiding it like the virus?
Tom: I have really got back into racing and riding on Zwift over the past few weeks which has been enjoyable. Being able to ‘meet up’ and ride with teammates and friends is a bonus and gives some distraction from the real world and usually end up getting a solid workout too.

Q: What’s the hardest thing for you about the Lockdown?
Tom: For me, I love racing so I suppose as an athlete, the hardest thing is the lack of races and being able to spend time with the team and race bikes but understandably the health and welfare of the vulnerable wider population has to take priority at the moment.

Q: Besides cycling, what’s your biggest distraction as lock down continues?
Tom: I have been enjoying a mix of things I wouldn’t have time to do, including some baking and experimenting a little more with diet and food which has been interesting.

Q: What’s the weirdest thing you have seen since this crisis began?
Tom: Probably witnessing mass hysteria over a crate of toilet roll in the supermarket has to be one of them, can you tell I’ve not been out much!

Q: Where you do you enjoy riding your Vitus the most in this country or abroad?
Tom: If I’m honest, the place I most enjoy riding my bike is probably at home on the Isle of Man, with mixed and challenging terrain to add to the stunning scenery, I can’t really think of anywhere else I’d rather ride, especially when the sun is shining.

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Q: What size deep section Prime wheels do you use in training?
Tom: We have 30mm Prime Baroudeur wheels for training on. They are a really solid and responsive wheelset that roll really well too. Ideal for long, testing rides all year round.

Q: What Namedsport Energy products do you use most on a training ride
Tom: Throughout the winter months and into the start of the season, I usually train with just water in the bottles and use the NAMED Fruit Rice Crisp Bars alot with a (Cola) NAMED Caffeine Sport Gel for efforts or towards the end of a long hard ride.

Q: What Schwalbe tyres are you using on your training wheels?
Tom: The 28mm Schwalbe Pro One tyres I have been using for training have been faultless. I have been lucky enough to be on Schwalbe tyres for the last few years and I have been nothing but impressed with the grip and durability of them.

Q: With winter still with us, how many Velotec layers do you start a ride with?
Tom: I tend to try and wrap up pretty warm in the winter months so I always wear a cap and a buff then a long-sleeve Megmeister Baselayer, Velotec Bib-Tights with maybe a thin Short Sleeve Jersey underneath my Long-Sleeve Spring Jersey, topped with either a Gabba Jacket or Windproof Gilet depending on the conditions and finally Gloves and Overshoes for the extremities.