QUIZ TIME!! REBECCA WOODVINE

Q&A with the talented Rebecca Woodvine who’s focus is cyclocross where she has raced World Cup events and many a British event culminating in a stunning ride at the National Championships. Thank to Rebecca who works at Dave Mellor Cycles!

QUIZ TIME!! REBECCA WOODVINE — Q&A with the talented Rebecca Woodvine who’s focus is cyclocross where she has raced World Cup events and many a British event culminating in a stunning ride at the National Championships. Thank to Rebecca who works at Dave Mellor Cycles!

Q: You have had a busy winter racing here in the UK and abroad – how do you feel the season has gone for you especially being so young!
REBECCA: This cross season has sure been amazing! I’ve experienced some amazing races this year, such as my first elite World Cup and some bigger races in Belgium. It’s been chaotic with a lot of travelling and walking into college lessons the next morning feeling extremely tired but I wouldn’t change it. I was also lucky to go to Switzerland on the UCI training camp which was for sure a highlight, meeting people from around the world and having high level coaching from Ed, Matt and Eva which set me up perfectly for the rest of the season.

Q: What has been the most fun international Cross race you have done?
REBECCA: That’s a tough one, but probably either World Cup Antwerpen or X20 Lokeren. Antwerpen was my first Elite World Cup starting from the last row, which I enjoyed the challenge of seeing how far up the field I could get. At Lokeren, I was supported by evodevo and was joined by some of the UK junior girls which made for an all round good weekend.

Q: Are the international events in Belgium a different world to a National Trophy here in Britain?
REBECCA: I think it’s the standards which make it a different world. The courses are on a different level but also you’re going there to race the best riders in the world. For me, when I race in Belgium, I feel myself learning, developing and challenging myself more than in the UK, which brings me excitement for the years to come in which I hope to live out there for a few months for 25/26 CX season – funding dependant.

Running over the hurdles  at the National Championships

Q: Racing abroad and around the country, who have been the key people helping you?
REBECCA: Obviously my family, who have travelled the lengths of Europe and the UK to help me this year. But I couldn’t thank Andy and Sarah Naylor enough this year, from pitting at a number of races, giving me pages and pages of advice and help and even a few wasted hotel costs after National Trophys were cancelled. Dave Mellor Cycles is also a key helper to my success this year, without the endless hours working on my bikes and even the hours I work there which helps with the costs of the ever expensive sport. Also some financial supporters such as West Midlands Cyclocross League, Ride for Charlie and Mid Shropshire Wheelers.

Q: How long have you been racing Rebecca and what are your favourite disciplines?
REBECCA: I started racing when I was 6 at the West Midlands local league, which I still love to go back to 12 years later. I’ve always had a love for cyclocross but more recently, I’ve loved exploring the road scene too.

Q: Working for Dave Mellor Cycles in Shrewsbury, you are surrounded by bikes all the time. Do you see being involved with bikes as a career? (racing/shop)
REBECCA: I’m currently working at Dave Mellor Cycles around my A levels and training. I do love working there, and its pretty handy knowing that after a muddy weekend, the bikes will be fixed and ready to go again by Wednesday. I think for now, I am on a journey so will continue to work at the bike shop until the end destination which fingers crossed will be riding cross full time in Belgium. However if that doesn’t work, I would love to set up a cycling café in Shrewsbury or Mallorca/Girona as I do bake a good cake!

Q: Working with people in the shop with a vast experience of the sport, is it a learning experience about bikes and racing at work as well on the bike at races and training?
REBECCA: Having Eric Rowsell (Ex-professional) and Dave Mellor at the shop is great to get advice but also Tuesday race debriefs are always beneficial especially as Dave sits at the TV watching for the aluminous jersey. The decades of experience in the workshop is always handy to learn off to improve my book of mechanics.

Road racing as well for Rebecca…

Q: With all that racing, do you need to do a lot of training between events?
REBECCA: I think this year, it’s been more about quality over quantity. My hours haven’t been as high but the intensity certainly has been. I decided not to race as much in December to focus on training and recovery leading up to National Champs which I think for me was the best idea as I have always struggled with fatigue and illness leading into this race.

Q: With the days so short in the winter, is the training mainly indoors?
REBECCA: Yes, I would probably say 2/3 of my training during the winter is indoors. Wednesday afternoons and the weekends are the only days I get out on the roads. Other than that, it’s all been indoors. I am looking forward to riding outdoors soon once the evenings are lighter.

Q: Do you and other cross riders do cross training midweek or just normal training the same as other disciplines?
REBECCA: I try to get out as much as I can on my CX bike whether that’s an hour of skills in the evening or doing my long rides with gravel wheels in. Some weeks are just too busy so prefer to smash myself on the turbo.

Getting a prize at the Witham Hall Women’s Road Race in 2024

Q: Has your CX season finished yet?
REBECCA: Yes, it ended at the National Championships. I ended the season on a high which I never expected. I would have loved to have given another World Cup a go this season but the journey continues to next year and beyond.

Q: The team you ride for… tell us about them and how you came to race for them?
REBECCA: I am now racing for Boompods for the 2025 road season. I’m excited to be racing for a road team with years of experiences and people who have through the team to race conti and above. After speaking to Nikki, the team ethos and vibe was for me, which I’m looking forward to being a part of for my first road season as an under 23.

Q: What result stands out for you in your cycling career so far?
REBECCA: Has to be 4th Under 23 and 9th Elite at the National CycloCross Champs this year. I had the help of Andy and Sarah Naylor at this race which this result was for them! The hours of cleaning bikes, advice and looking after me this year and last, I wanted a good result to give back to them. I was over the moon after this race and it’s not very often I finish a race with a big beam over my face.

Q: Will you have a break after the cross season after all that racing?
REBECCA: I’ve had two weeks completely off the bike. It’s flown by but it’s been good to catch up on college work and enjoy a few days of running in the hills. I’m going to Gran Canaria in two weeks to have a week in the sun and get the miles in.

Q: When the CX season finishes, will you continue bike racing for the summer and what discipline(s) will you choose to compete in.
REBECCA: I am going to be racing road this spring/summer and maybe one gravel race around my exams but all the goals are CX based this year. I am excited though to gain more experience racing in the National Road/Crit Series with the help of Boompoods. Maybe I will be found at an XC race depending on how the calendar works out.

Racing a National Series crit at Colne in 2024…

Thank you Rebecca on a wonderful Q&A… So great to get the insights into your racing when I see you racing!

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