Quiz Time! Eilidh Shaw (Alba Development Road Team)

This weeks quiz time with an Alba Development Road Team rider is with Eilidh Shaw who had an injury challenged year in 2023 but still won two national titles!

Quiz Time! Eilidh Shaw (Alba Development Road Team)

Q: With the exciting news from the team for 2024, has that made your winter training faster and provided lots of motivation?
Eilidh: I am really looking forward to getting racing with Alba next year! Becoming UCI continental has opened up loads of new opportunities throughout the season. I enjoy getting stuck into winter training and this definitely gives some extra motivation.

Q: How much training in the winter each week are you able to do?
Eilidh: I prefer riding outside than sticking to the turbo and on the cold and wet days, the hardest part is getting out but once I’ve started, I don’t really mind. Being able to train in the velodrome with Scottish cycling is something I’m really fortunate for too.

Q: What’s been the hardest challenge for you this winter on or off the bike?
Eilidh: I think probably the weather. Rain and wind, although sometimes a bit grim I’m still able to get my ride in but when its icy, there is really not much you can do about that – so turbo it is.

Q: Looking back at the 2023 season, did it go to plan or were there challenges from time to time?
Eilidh: The 2023 season was a bit different for me this year as I was recovering for most of summer, which meant not much racing. I am super happy to be back to full fitness and stuck back into training again.

Q: What race was the most fun to do in 2023?
Eilidh: The CiCle Classic was my favourite race last year! The course is quite different from other UK national races with the gravel/mud sectors – it’s like the UK version of Paris Roubaix or Tour Flanders. Races I would both love to do in the future.

Q: What race was the toughest race on the legs and head?
Eilidh: Probably CiCle Classic, as it’s a really physically demanding course and technically you have to always be switched on – especially on the offroad sectors.

Q: Do you put pressure on yourself for results or just go out there to enjoy it and grab a result if it’s on offer?
Eilidh: Results are hard to come by and I think if you give each race and training session 100%, that takes the pressure away, for me anyway. I also think having the support on and off the bike from Alba has a really positive impact on our racing.

Q: What performance are you most proud of from 2023?
Eilidh: I was happy to win the Scottish Road and Crit championships this year along with a Top 10 in CiCle classic and Curlew Cup.

Q: Have you experienced UCI racing abroad and if so, what are the most exciting things to look forward to in 2024 when the team races abroad?
Eilidh: I have competed in some nations cups and would say these have been some of my favourite races I’ve ever ridden. Racing is at its best level over in Europe so its the perfect place to learn, develop and get the best out of every experience and opportunity that comes with it. Riding on the same course as the world tour teams and watching them race the following day is an added feature of which I love about the UCI races.

Q: Is it an ‘adventure’ traveling to races abroad with teammates?
Eilidh: Yes, I’d say so, traveling to all of these different places is something I’m really fortunate to be able to do, especially with a great group of girls.

Q: Are their specific races in 2024 you are looking forward to most?
Eilidh: I’m excited to get racing at the Womens National series this year as well as the crit series and National championships. These will hopefully be a good way to progresses as a rider and develop skills and race craft for our European racing.

Q: Finally, what goals are important to you for 2024?
Eilidh: My first race with the with the team this year will be the National Track Championships in Newport in the middle of February. I would like to get some good results in the British series this season as well as being competitive within the UCI races.

Thank you Eilidh for those excellent insights into her racing and good luck in 2024!

 

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