Q&A: Joe Turnbull (Team Prologue)

A Xmas series of Q&As starting with Joe Turnbull (Team Prologue) who gives us great insights into his season racing Junior races here and abroad – thanks Joe!

Q&A: Joe Turnbull (Team Prologue)

Related Feature: Prologue Junior Team

Q: Overall, how was your season on the bike.
Joe: My first season as a junior had its highs and lows. I had a strong Spring and picked up a few good results like 2nd in the 2,3,4 Bradfield Bash Road Race and then achieving my 2nd cat licence shortly after. In the second half of the season, I started okay picking up 30th on GC at Vuelta a Las Cormacas in Murcia.

It was our first European race of the year, and I gained good experience and was able to get a good taste of racing abroad. This was then followed by a guest spot for Mas Design Fensham in the the Tour of Flanders, but a heavy crash in the recon took me out of the race. I was soon back racing only a week after the crash, but I wasn’t in good form and struggled at the Yorkshire National series, the National champs and Tour of Ireland which came soon after.

The final part of my season ended with one final UCI race GP Plouay in France where I finished 3rd and the closed-circuit Time Trial champs that I was able to win, ending my first season as a junior on a bit of a high.

Q: What was the best result/performance of yours in 2023.
Joe: It would definitely have to be Grand Prix Plouay. It was my first proper UCI race so expectations beforehand weren’t set too high but I was still hoping for a possible top 20. On the day of the race, the legs were not feeling great, but I was still able to stay in the mix and on the last lap, I went for an attack through a narrow section of the course and was able to build a gap. I was then followed by two chasers who caught up to me and we then started working well, holding our gap to the bunch. I finished 3rd, getting a podium in my first UCI race was such an amazing feeling but was also a shock as I didn’t expect such a result.

Q: What race was the most fun to do in 2023?
Joe: Most fun race would have to be Vuelta a Las Cormacas (Murcia). It was a really good laugh with my teammates, and we had a really good time. It also helped us relax a lot at night after each stage. That is I think important for the big races.

Q: If you race abroad, was it better than racing here and if so, what were the big differences?
Joe: I think so. Getting the chance to race on closed roads makes it feel like you are in World Tour for us British riders and it also makes it less stressful as you’re not having to worry about traffic coming towards you when the race is full on. The sheer size scale and popularity of cycling means the races have a much bigger atmosphere.

Q: What are the key things you learnt in 2023 in racing with the team?
Joe: Bunch position in the bigger races is key and teamwork. We all worked together to protect Joel’s white jersey and the GC position of Oli at the Tour of Ireland. It also gave us all a level of responsibility.

Q: What was the toughest bike race you did in 2023?
Joe: Grand Prix Ruebilland (Switzerland) I got a late call up to the race so wasn’t fully prepared and came into the race quite fatigued. It was a super high standard with the best juniors in the world and it was also very hot. The physical demand and toll it put on my body was like nothing before. Racing in temperatures around 34 degrees, you just felt empty.

Q: When do you get back in the saddle and start training for 2024.
Joe: I’m already back in training. I missed the entire season last year due to my crash so I was keen to do a full and complete season. I had a short break of two weeks and ticked over but now the structure and gym work has started and I am raring to go.

Q: What are your goals for 2024?
Joe: Top 10 and top 5’s in some of the Junior National Series races and some more good results abroad. Continue to learn the craft and grow in confidence in the hope of getting an U23 Team in time, ideally Spain as the racing there I think suits me best.

Good luck in 2024 Joe!