Q&A: Oliver Seargent (Prologue Racing Team)

The second in our Xmas Q&As is with Junior rider Oliver Seargent who many a high point in his 2023 season on the road including an awesome race at Otley against the seniors

Q&A: Oliver Seargent (Prologue Racing Team)

Oliver, a junior, in the Otley support race for cat 2/3/4 riders (seniors/juniors) and in the latter part, he was away in a breakaway with well known top TT and track rider Adam Duggleby who won with Oliver second.

Related feature on Oliver’s team Prologue Race Team

Q: Overall how was your season on the bike?
Oliver: “Personally, I feel that I cannot be disappointed with my season on the bike even though it certainly had its low points. I have been laid up in a hotel bed with food poisoning on the Isle of Man when I should have been racing my bike was definitely one of them, but it does provide a funny story looking back even if it meant missing some races because of it. Despite that, there were also some high points along the way which I can reflect happily upon.”

Q: What was your best result in 2023?
Oliver: “I was very lucky to be able to pick up two wins during the season despite my unfortunate stints with illness, but the best result has to be 2nd in the Chevin Cycle Classic in Otley (Cat 2/3/4 won by Adam Duggleby). It might not of been the elite podium, but not many people in their career can say they have stood on the box at Otley in either race, so I can definitely be a happy man with that result. It was made even more special with the atmosphere; it has to be one of the best atmospheres in domestic cycling. On top of that, I feel that we as a team rode the best we had all year and really took control of the race.

Otley is always a special race with the huge crowds and great racing

Q: What was the race that was the most fun to do?
Oliver: “The Junior Tour of Ireland was without a doubt the most fun I have had racing my bike this year. Everything about the event was well thought out from the start location to the finishes. Everything just seemed easy which allowed me to race my bike to the best of my ability. Taking place over 6 days, I think it is the longest race on the junior calendar and I would say the length of it suits me as a rider but also keeps things interesting and gives riders the possibility of a result on multiple occasions.

I was able to come away with an 8th place finish on stage two and 12th on GC after making a catastrophic mistake on stage three which saw me loose some time. Despite this, I was still satisfied with my result and form and felt to get stronger as the week progressed and was able to take away a valuable lesson on positioning. To top it off, it was mint seeing Jole take home the white jersey after his operation on his keen earlier in the season.”

Q: What is racing abroad like compared to the UK?
Oliver: “Having raced abroad and achieved mixed results, I have to say that even the races where I may have left disappointed, were still better than most races in the UK even compared to a national series event. Whilst some of that might be the buzz and excitement of being in a foreign land or the idea of being unknown by your competitors and the possibility of showing yourself on a different stage, the events themselves are still higher quality. This can be seen through the closed roads which as a rider gives you confidence in been able to race and fully commit without the fear of a car possibly being around the next corner, something which we see all too much in the UK even in the highest National junior races.

Organisers also seem to be better organised with the logistical running of the races with making sure everyone is where they should be. There is often a better turn out as well from supporters, which possibly suggests that the events are better publicised and communities are encouraged to get involved, rather than some obscure gathering in some village hall or school in the middle of nowhere with what is normally a bunch of males dressed in the smallest skinsuits they can fit into and comparing power numbers post-race after bashing round on roads filled with pot holes like craters. That’s another nice bonus too about racing on the continent, they take better care of their road infrastructure.”

Q: What are the key things you learnt about racing with the team?
Oliver: “Positioning is everything. This is something that I have really learnt this year and sometimes it’s been pretty hard to get to grips with, but sometimes its’s also contributed to my success. As a rider, its an area that still needs work, but I have learnt more this year than any other that you can have all the power in the word but if you are in a different post code compared to the riders who are at the front of the bunch, your not going to win the bike race.

A tough race was the Peaks Two Day, a National B where Oliver raced against many an elite rider

Q: What was the toughest bike race?
Oliver “This has to be a toss-up between Peaks 2 day where I rode myself into the ground, Cicle Classic where the conditions were biblical or the Isle of Man Prologue TT where I spent 2km trying to not be violently sick.

Q: When did you get back in the saddle for 2024?
Oliver: “I never left. Having a family holiday in late August meant I was off the bike for two weeks so used that as my off season then. A bit unorthodox I know, however, it has allowed me to get some real volume in from the start of September to the end of October. I’m having an easy de-load week to soak up some adaptations before ramping up again in the lead up to Christmas and the new year.

Q: What are your goals for 2024?
Oliver: “Goals for 2024 include balancing my A levels, podiuming in a national B and racing abroad as much as I can. But one thing remains constant – win some bike races!”

Thanks Oliver for that awesome Q&A and glad to see you in many of my pictures during the season. Good luck in 2024 …