LOCKDOWN! With Mikey Mottram (Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK)

Another of the team’s winners and breakaway specialists, Mikey Mottram of Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK gives us an insight into Lockdown in the South East.

LOCKDOWN! With Mikey Mottram (Vitus Pro Cycling p/b Brother UK)

Another of the team’s winners and breakaway specialists, Mikey Mottram gives us an insight into Lockdown in the South East.

Q: Your last race was and your memories of it are?
Mikey: I last raced at the GP Lillers. It was only the second race as a team this year so we were still all getting to know each other. It was fairly horrid weather but I didn’t mind that too much once the race got going and I bridged across to the break as it looked fairly strong so may have been dangerous.

Mikey rolls up to the team bus ready for the race at Lillers

Ultimately, it got brought back for a sprint but I was really happy with how the team rode on the day and had been really looking forward to Le Tour de Normandie and then the next week was when events in all sports across Europe got cancelled.

Q: With racing cancelled, what’s a typical week training wise for you?
Mikey: I’m trying to keep as much routine and normality as possible so getting up in the morning and getting out on the bike. Over the next few weeks, we will hopefully start to get an idea of where the goal posts are and when we will expect to be racing so we can train towards that. My wife is in the GB rowing team so is also training from home at the moment. We are doing a few S&C and other sessions together, using the time to work on our individual weaknesses.

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Q: Are you enjoying using the turbo or avoiding it like the virus?
Mikey: I’m balancing it at the moment. While I can still safely get out on the bike, I am but only alone and trying to ride when it is quiet. I am also using the turbo for some racing on Zwift like the British Cycling series as well as a few Pro-Am races coming up. With no other competition on at the moment, the Zwift races will be important to keep things sharp.

Q: If on the turbo, what’s your favourite distraction – Zwift or some other entertainment?
Mikey: I use Zwift on the Turbo but also have a bit of music or a podcast on.

Q: What’s the hardest thing for you about the Lockdown
Mikey: I will be honest, I’m not finding the lockdown itself too bad at the moment. It is frustrating but understandable not just being able to pop to the shops when you want or need something.

Q: Besides cycling, what’s your biggest distraction as lock down continues?
Mikey: I do work a bit although as a result of these things, that has quietened down a bit. We are also getting a few bits of redecorating and DIY down around the house.

Q: What’s the weirdest thing you have seen since this crisis began
Mikey: I think some of the badly fitted face masks and outfits people are wearing around the supermarkets. All you need is to give each other a bit of space and common sense.

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Q: Where you do you enjoy riding your Vitus the most in this country or abroad?
Mikey: The winter in the UK can be difficult but we are through that now. When we are racing, I don’t really mind, the quality of the racing in the UK has been very strong over the past couple of years so makes it as good as anywhere else.

Q: What size deep section Prime wheels do you use in training?
Mikey: We use the 30mm Prime Baroudeur alloy wheels for training. Nothing fancy but are what you need for training. I’ve done over 12,000 km on the wheels I’m on at the moment and had no problems so you can’t complain for a wheelset priced at just over £200

Q: What Namedsport Energy products do you use most on a training ride?
Mikey: I will normally have one bottle of water and one of Hydrofit. I also have a couple of Energy bars in my pocket, normally the banana flavour.

Q: What Schwalbe tyres are you using on your training wheels?
Mikey: I have some 28mm Schwalbe One Tubeless tyres on that the moment. They are not the fastest Pro One or Pro One TT but I can’t fault them for a training tyre. I’ve had them on about six weeks now and they hardly even have a cut.

Q: With the cold weather still with us, how many Velotec layers do you start a ride with?
Mikey: We are moving into a bit more spring so cold mornings then it is warming up quick. We have Megmeister base layers to keep warm but also get the sweat away when you get hot so these are great. Also, generally using the Velotect Pro LS jersey and a Gillet, just the right amount for this time of year.

Thank you Mikey! Good luck during the year preparing for races when ever they may return…

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