BMCR FEATURE: KARL SMITH Q&A

Karl Smith needs no introduction — the racing began with pink rosettes; moved on to Premier Calenders and then success in GB jerseys….and now some decades later he still animates masters races from the Midlands to Majorca

BMCR FEATURE: KARL SMITH Q&A BY Toks Adesanya — Karl Smith the bike racer needs no introduction says Toks. The racing began with pink rosettes; moved on to Premier Calenders and then success in GB jerseys….and now some decades later he still animates masters races from the Midlands to Majorca…

Karl’s story is one of consistency, competitiveness, and a deep love for bike racing itself. A standout 2025 season saw him take victories in the prestigious Stallard Series, proving that experience, instinct and commitment still count. He remains his own man — ignoring the clamour for the gym, rolling his eyes at modern training fads, and sticking to a tried-and-tested approach that continues to deliver results.

Off the bike, he’s the archetypal friendly, hard-working Northern lad — with plenty of fire still in the belly. Settle in ☕️ and join us for another Masters cycling deep dive with one of the best roadmen in the game.

Early Cycling Life
BMCR: Hey Karl; You once said your cycling life started at age 10 and you were racing as a schoolboy by 12. What do you remember most about those early racing years, and what hooked you on competition so young?
Karl: Yes, I started young with my brother Nigel. Our dad had cycled when he was young and he just started taking us out on rides. Going racing just followed.
—-
BMCR: Where did you start racing?
Karl: My first races were the Ribble Valley Juvenile Series — races for lots of ages, under-12 through to under-16. I started in the under-12s and had some success. You won pink rosettes (pink was Doreen Mallinson’s favourite colour — she ran the events with her husband John). By the time I was 16 I had a bedroom full of pink rosettes. That was me hooked — who wouldn’t want to win pink rosettes?
—-
BMCR: When you were a teenager didn’t you also win a race at the iconic Eastway circuit?
Karl: Yes, as a 15-year-old I went down to Eastway to ride in a special meeting, the Eddy Merckx Grand Prix. The great man himself was there to present the prizes — and who was on the top step receiving the honours from Eddy? Yes, me. What a moment. As a youngster, to receive your prize from the Greatest. PS — I think meeting Eddy beat the pink rosettes 😉
—-
BMCR: You’ve said you love bike racing even more than just cycling. What type of rider would you say you are these days? Has that changed over the years?
Karl: I do love racing, probably because I’m a very competitive person — even when playing simple games at home I do all I can to win. I’d consider myself an all-rounder, with the ability to go deep. Because of that I like all types of racing, but road racing is my favourite. I enjoy the tactical side of bunch racing — you may not be the best rider there, but if you ride cleverly and well you could still be up there, maybe even win.

I love a good crit, but prefer the town-centre ones we used to get in the good old days. I don’t like time trials — probably because I’m not very good at them — but hill climbs are OK. I’m still the same type of rider as when I was young… just slower.
—-
BMCR: Do you still do any other sports? (We know golf used to be a favourite!)
Karl: Quick answer — no. Don’t have time for anything else. I did other sports after I quit cycling at the end of 1989, mainly football and then golf, because I needed to be competing. I came back to cycling in 2013 after a small back operation… and my golf went off.
—-

🏆 Career Highlights & Standout Races

BMCR: You’ve had over 100 career wins, national medals, and victories racing for Great Britain. Looking back, which performances or races stand out the most to you now?
Karl: Winning in a GB jersey in Holland was special. Winning the National English Schools Championship and the Eddie Soens meant a lot. But two performances really stand out — both when I was 18. The first was the Lincoln GP with the famous cobbled climb. I finished 7th in a break with Curran, Webster and Longbottom. Big bunch, big crowds, and the climb — brilliant race. So glad it’s still going.

The second was 8th in the Manx International — three laps of the TT course with over 100 riders and international teams. Both were Star Trophy races (Premier Calendar now). Even though I podiumed in other Star Trophy events and finished 5th at Lincoln, those two rides as a first-year senior are the ones I personally rate highest. They got me onto the GB men’s international squad and the Seoul Olympics squad.
—-
BMCR: Through the years you’ve raced everything from the Tour of the Abberleys to the Stallard Series and Nationals. Which BMCR / Masters races feel most special?
Karl: All the Masters races you mentioned are excellent. They attract the biggest entries and the best riders, which brings out the best in me. I get a buzz just looking around the start line. But the best is the Abberleys. A great event and one that really suits me. The four stages add another tactical dimension, which makes it even more enjoyable. Mind you… the trophies are a bit on the large side.
—-
BMCR: Stephen Roche was your hero back in the day, and you even raced against him. Who inspires you now — both in the pro peloton and on the Masters scene?
Karl: In the pro peloton it’s MVDp and Wout van Aert. So exciting to watch, and there’s a lot to learn from the way they race and win. Masters? That’s harder. There are so many top riders in the UK, including World Champions. But honestly, everyone pinning a number on inspires me. You’re the riders making me train hard and travel hours to races. Hopefully we all inspire each other.
—-

⚙️ Training Now vs Then

BMCR: How does your training today compare with how you trained as a younger rider or when you raced professionally?
Karl: Training is a weird one now — zones, heart rate, power, 80/20, riding slow to go fast. It can all feel confusing. I try to keep it simple: Volume, some intensity, recovery, consistency. Consistency is key. I aim to do training I can repeat. It’s based on what I did as a teenager and as a pro — but with less volume and intensity, and more recovery.
—-
BMCR: What does a typical winter training week look like for you?
Karl: My work pattern helps. Tuesdays and Fridays are long market days, so I usually don’t train then. Other days I have more time. I try to do three rides of three to four hours at an easy pace, plus some indoor turbo intervals. This winter I’ve been doing about 8–11 hours a week.
—-
BMCR: Roughly how many hours a week do you ride in-season vs out-of-season?
Karl: Around 8–12 hours year-round. In season I may drop volume occasionally and increase intensity.
—
BMCR: Do you train with power, heart rate, structure, or mostly by feel?
Karl: On the turbo I use a smart trainer with MyWhoosh — structured workouts, watts, FTP, ERG mode. On the road I ride almost entirely by feel, even though I have all the tech.
—-
BMCR: Turbo / Zwift — Yes or No?
Karl: Yes — especially in winter. MyWhoosh is a great tool.
—-
BMCR: Long miles then intensity, or some intensity year-round?
Karl: Ideally long steady winter rides with the odd turbo session. If the weather’s bad, I’m happy to just do turbo.
—-
BMCR: Do you do any gym or strength training?
Karl: No. No weights, no core work. If my back stiffens I stretch a bit — then stop once it feels OK. I find gym work boring and would rather spend that time riding.
—-
BMCR: Do you currently have a coach?
Karl: No — never had one. But I was part of the North West Centre of Excellence run by Eddie Soens. If Eddie said running through a brick wall would make you better, you’d do it. I learned so much from him.
—-

🌍 Favourite Places & Race Experiences

BMCR: Favourite places to train and race — still the same?
Karl: I live in a great training area — flat, rolling or hilly, no traffic lights… apart from bloody road works. Ireland and the Isle of Man are still my favourites. The Junior Tour of Ireland was madness — brilliant madness. The Isle of Man TT course is iconic and a fantastic road race circuit. I won the junior race there — still my favourites.

—-
BMCR: Do you do any other cycling disciplines?
Karl: Really only ever been a roadie. A few cross races as a schoolboy and some Liverpool track league riding for speed. Since returning — road only.
—-
BMCR: You did the Majorca Masters this year, how was it?
Karl: Yep, first time — absolutely loved it. It made me feel 20 again and took me back to the big races like the Milk Race and Tour of Britain. It went well too: 4th on stage one, 3rd overall going into stage three, 8th overall at the end, and 3rd in the European Cup. Brilliant week.
—-

📅 Reflections on the Season

BMCR: You must be quite happy with your 2025 season?
Karl: It was my best season since returning. I was consistently in the mix. The Stallard Series couldn’t have gone better — four wins and third overall. The extra training made a huge difference.
—-
BMCR: Any disappointments?
Karl: With a year like that — no regrets.
—-

💼 Life, Work & Balance

BMCR: What do you do for work, and how do you manage training around it?
Karl: Family fruit and veg business — three generations. Hence the van with the big apple. I do 35–40 hours a week, but only certain days are full days. Other days I’m free by mid-morning… though I still clean the bathrooms at home.
—-
BMCR: What are the key components to your training these days?
Karl: Recovery — it is so important.
—

🎯 Goals, Dreams & Tips

BMCR: Which race would you like to have won in your pro days?
Karl: The Tour de France. Simply the best bike race.
—-
BMCR: Goals for 2026?
Karl: Target the BMCR Nationals properly, return to the Masters Tour of Majorca, and race as an E-category rider.
—
BMCR: Give us a training session guaranteed to get you in race shape.
Karl: 3 × 3 minutes as hard as possible, usually up a slight climb. Horrible — but effective.
—

⚡ Finish the Sentence

BMCR: One thing that annoys me about cycling these days is…
Karl:  …hills are harder than they used to be.
—-
⚡ This or That

BMCR: Ride alone or ride with others?
Karl: Ride with others
—
BMCR: Early break or back your instincts?
Karl: Back my instincts
—-
BMCR: Winning ugly or losing after racing well?
Karl: Results
—-
BMCR: Post-race cake or post-race pint?
Karl: Cake
—-
BMCR: Lose weight or increase FTP?
Karl: Lose weight
—-
BMCR: Pins or aero pockets?
Karl: Pins

Thanks so much Karl. See you in the E category races next year 😎 Hope you have a great 2026.

Send your results as well as club, team & event news here

Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)

Other News on VeloUK

Tags: