Quiz Time! Luca Bednarek ( Fensham Howes MAS Design Junior Team )

Quiz time with the talented Luca Bednarek in his second year with Fensham Howes MAS Design Junior Team after a successful first year transition from the Youth ranks to the Junior ones #winner 

QUIZ TIME! LUCA BEDNAREK ( Fensham Howes MAS Design Junior Team )
The second year junior who has a mean sprint on him, went from chasing a ball to chasing breakaways on a bicycle as a youngster. “Before lockdown, I dabbled in racing, but it wasn’t until I was an Under 14 that I fully committed. Since then, it’s been all about the road, whether it’s grinding up brutal climbs, hammering in the wind, or timing the perfect sprint. I don’t just have a favorite part, I thrive on all of it.”

In 2025, Luca is racing for Fensham Howes MAS Design, a team that has a rich history of developing top riders and an environment that pushes riders to be the best they can be. “The support here is next level” says Luca. “From the race day setup to the people behind it all. Giles and Sonja have built more than just a team; they’ve created a culture where everyone is driven, motivated, and part of something bigger. It’s the perfect place to grow, compete, and chase big goals”.

As we head into the early stages of the road season in winter, Luca explains that this winter has been a game-changer. “I have had the opportunity to swap the grim British weather for sunny miles for quite a lot of the winter, putting in the work without battling endless rain and freezing winds. On top of that, I had some strong results in cyclocross, keeping the intensity high and the racing sharp. It’s been a massive step up from last year, when illness held me back. This time, I’ve had a full winter of proper training, and I can feel the difference already”.

Looking back at his racing days so far and the great results he has had, Luca says “I take great pride in my Under 16 season. I was proud of a thrilling victory at the Otley GP, and just two days later, I followed it up with another win at the Ilkley GP (both pictured). That week was a whirlwind of excitement and achievement! Finishing second at the national championships added to the glory, solidifying my position among the top riders.”

“Looking at last year (2024), I set my sights on new challenges. Winning my first junior race at Stage 2 of the North West Tour felt like a great achievement. Additionally, bouncing back from a tough start to the season to claim 3rd at Cicle was incredibly rewarding.”

“I started strong with a 5th place finish in my first year at the Eroica Nations Cup in Italy, where I also placed 19th overall. Competing at such a high level was an incredible experience. I then won the Sprint jersey at Bizkaiko Itzulia, showcasing my speed in the sprints. I continued to build on my momentum with a solid 16th overall finish at Keizer der Juniores, where I also secured 5th place among the young riders. I then capped off the season with a respectable 13th place at Chrono des Nations.”

“Kuurne last year was a brutal wake up call, the first race of the season, and the step up (youth to juniors) in level hit me hard. The sheer physicality of the bunch was a shock, with the relentless surges and fights for position making it a battle just to hold my position. The race length added to the challenge, and by the final kilometres, my legs were cramping. I pushed through to finish, but not before the broom wagon swept past me, a humbling reminder of just how tough the jump in level really was”.

“This year I will start at Kuurne (Belgium) again so I hope to kick my season off strongly with a good result.”

Looking ahead to the challenging programme of races in 2025 a team like Fensham Howes MAS Design provides for their young riders, Luca explains “I’m looking forward to the early-season classics where I can test myself against strong competition, and build momentum for the year ahead. I’m also eager for the later part of the season, especially races like Keizer, where I hope to build on last year’s performances and take another step forward”.

Finally, looking back at my career at Luca’s age (in the 70s), I was lucky to have a dad who took me round Australia to bike races. Asked who has helped him, Luca says “I’m lucky to have an incredible support system behind me. My parents are at the heart of it all, making countless sacrifices to help me chase my goals. My coach, Craig Stevenson, plays a huge role in my development, setting a training plan that gets me in top shape and ready to perform when it matters and my S&C coach, Ady Stott, has been instrumental in building my strength and resilience off the bike.”

“Giles and Sonja have been fundamental in my journey, bringing me into the team and sharing their experience, guidance, and countless small but valuable insights that make a difference. And, of course, my teammates racing alongside them is going to be a privilege. The balance of pushing each other to be better while still having fun on and off the bike is something I think is essential to making it far in this sport.”

That’s an awesome Q&A Luca and good luck in 2025 and hoping to see you fulfil that potential we all know you have!
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Feature presented by team sponsor RedBrick IT Solutions | www.RedbrickIT.co.uk

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