New to the team in 2022 is 22 year old Welsh rider Gwenno Hughes who lives in Manchester and has been racing since she was 13
![]() |
Quiz Time: Gwenno Hughes (Saint Piran)
Q: How did you come to race bikes?
Gwenno: I was inspired after watching the London 2012 Olympics. My French school teacher let me borrow his road bike to practice and from there I joined a local club and one of the members, Ifor Philips, coached me and got me started.
Q: How difficult was 2020 with little racing or did it give you time to reset, refresh and focus on 2021?
Gwenno: It was disappointing having trained hard in the winter and then to not have any races but I enjoyed exploring more local roads and the sunny weather we had kept me motivated.
Q: Do you think you came out of 2020 stronger, the same or less strong as you were before that season of no races?
Gwenno:I think I came out stronger, I got more time to focus on aerobic training and enjoyed the racing in 2021 more after having a year of no racing!
Q: What was the highlight of your racing in 2021?
Gwenno: I’d say 6th at the Loughborough circuit race (Jose Gilbert Memorial Trophy) and getting a personal best in 10 mile time trial after breaking my collarbone.
Q: What race in your career is the one that still gives you the biggest buzz?
Gwenno: Any circuit race which has spectators banging on the boards. There was a band in Otley which really fun!
Q: Were there learning moments in 2021 races and if so, what were they?
Gwenno: Not to race if I’m too tired from placement, my reaction time possibly was to blame which led to me breaking my collarbone at Otley GP.
Q: What’s the furthest you have travelled for a bike race in 2021?
Gwenno: Northumberland for Curlew Cup.
Q: If a younger rider asked you to describe how a national level women’s road race unfolds, is there a common way the races are raced or does that depend on the course?
Gwenno: I think it depends on the course. If it’s hilly, the pace really increases before the hill for positioning and if it’s not, certain riders mark each other. It is always hectic and maybe a bit dangerous towards the end in a bunch sprint! 😂
Q: During a race, do you find there is a lot of talk between riders in the same team to deal with changes in the race like breaks going, key points in the course approaching and the finish coming fast?
Gwenno: I’ve seen one or two teams or 1 or 2 riders within the team do this and when it works its really nice. I hope we can do this collectively in 2022.
Q: Do you go into a race nervous or intimated by other riders or do you have the confidence to hold you own and race the race confidently in your own style?
Gwenno: I certainly go into races nervous but when the adrenaline is flowing, I don’t let other riders tell me what to do too much haha!
Q: Do you train more in a given week in winter than what you do in summer when there is a lot of racing and travelling?
Gwenno: I think it depends on what else I have on during the week such as Uni placements etc!
Q: Do you train on a training bike or the race bike …
Gwenno: I train on a winter bike.
Q: Do you cross train at all, running, swimming, gym or other disciplines like MTB?
Gwenno: Gym during the winter to gain some strength. Although I am currently doing some training for a half marathon before the racing season starts.
Q: Where is your favourite training ride?
Gwenno: Just over the bridge from home, Snowdonia.
Q: What type of race suits you best? (Time Trial, Circuit Race, Hilly or Flat road races)
Gwenno: I enjoy a fast circuit race and a flat windy race. I enjoy the occasional time trial too.
Q: What are your tips for staying warm on a long winter ride?
Gwenno: Headband over your ears or some sort of cap as a lot of body heat leaves through your head!
Q: What are goals for 2022
Gwenno: I want to particularly do well in National Crits and the Tour Series. I’d like to race in as many International races with the team as I can and to help my teammates win!
Q: It has been said a change is as good as a holiday – is coming to Saint Piran something that you can use to motivate yourself during winter training?
Gwenno: I am definitely more motivated this winter knowing I’m joining such a strong group of girls but also the work the team managers/DS has put in, I want to make sure I am on good form and getting results for the staff and sponsors!
Cycle Division’s Shop
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- Result: Forge Valley Crits #3 P/B YBC
- Result: Hove Park Crits #2
- TT Result: VTTA (London & Home Counties) 10
- Result: CCA Summer in the City Crits #11
- Result: AIRC Course de Deux #1
- Result: Castle Combe Summer Series 9
- Result: Cream First Criterium Series 10
- Result: Chorley CC UCLAN Series 3
- Result: Cowley Road Condors Road Race (women)
- TT Result: AeroCoach Midland Championships
- TT Result: North Devon Velo 10
- TT Result: Jubilee Rumble Strip 10
- TT Result: Muckle CC TT
- TT Result: Cleveland Wheelers CC 18
- TT Result: Wyre Forest Cycle Racing Club 10
- Result: White Rose Youth League R7
- Result: Surrey League/London Dynamo RR
- TT Result: RTTC National 100 Mile Championship
- TT Result: Zak Carr Memorial 10
- TT Result: Yorkshire Cycling Federation 50
- TT Result: Port Sunlight Wheelers 10
- TT Result: Lindsey Roads CC 10
- TT Result: Lea Valley CC 10
- TT Result: Alltrax 10m TT
- TT Result: Epsom CC 10
- TT Result: Shropshire CCA Championship 10
- Result: King and Queen of the Bowl Crit Series #11
- Result: RL360 Isle of Man Youth League Rd 12
- GB Team for Track Euros
- Result: West Thames League Rnd 13
- Result: RCR Goodwood Series #8
- Result: Portsmouth Evening Circuits
- Result: Thank Crit it’s Friday 4
- Result: Swindon Summer Race Series 3
- Result: Full Gas Summer Circuit Series 14
- Result: National Circuit Series – Guildford
- TT Result: Westerley Cycling Club 25
- TT Result: Ross on Wye & Dist CC 25
- TT Result: Northampton & District CA 12.7m TT
- TT Result: Border City Whs CC 25
Other News on VeloUK
- GB Team for Track Euros
- Opening of Sir Mark Cavendish Raceway
- Bike News: Ribble Cycles Alloy Bikes
- This Weekend: Junior Road Championships
- Wednesday: Otley Cycle Races
- Mid Shropshire Wheelers celebrates 100 Years of Cycling
- Team Feature: Prologue Junior Racing Team Spring Review
- New: Ribble Cycles Ultra-Grit & Allgrit Ranges
- START LISTS FOR BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS
- STARTLIST: Two day Giant Tugby Ronde van Wymeswold
- NEWS: MAJOR JUNIOR TEAMS TO MERGE FOR 2026
- Entries Wanted: Ilkley Town Centre Races
- Report/Result: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage 2
- Report: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage 1
- STARTLIST: Owen Blower Memorial Road Races
- Events: Halesowen Academy Road Race
- News: May Pedal Club Lunch
- RIBBLE PARTNERS WITH THE BIKE FITTERS
- Monday: Witham Wheelers Road Races
- British Stars for Women’s Tour of Britain
- Women’s Tour of Britain Riders 2025
- BIKES: RIBBLE UNVEILS ULTRA-RACE
- Women’s Tour of Britain Routes
- STARTLISTS: 2025 Lincoln Grand Prix
- STARTLIST: The Witham Hall Grand Prix
- Startlist: Timmy James Memorial Grand Prix
- FEATURE: PEDAL CLUB LUNCH REPORT (APRIL)
- 2025 BRITISH ROAD CHAMPIONSHIPS – ROUTES
- STARTLIST: Sloan Trophy (April 27)
- News: Teams Revealed for the Women’s Tour of Britain
- Startlist: CiCLE Classic International
- Sunday: CiCLE Classic UCI Road Race
- News: Women’s Tour of Britain Stage Hosts
- PERTH GRAND PRIX (SCOTLAND)
- April 19: PNE National B Road Race
- STARTLIST: East Cleveland Classic
- Startlists: Witham Hall Junior Two Day (Men & Women)
- Startlist: Totnes-Vire Two Day
- STARTLISTS: Cold Dark Capenwray Road Races
- News: CiCLE Classic – Volunteers Wanted