Q&A: Lucy Shaw (Drops Cycling)

With 2016 almost over, we quiz Drops Cycling’s Lucy Shaw about her season and her aims for the new year

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Q&A: Lucy Shaw (Drops Cycling)

1. What was the highlight of the 2016 season for you?

Lucy: SO many highlights!! I loved so many races but I think my highlight was was the first race of the year;-Le Samyn. I surprised myself in my own performance and was there mixing it at the front with some of the best riders in the world over cobbled sections in my first UCI race.

2. What was your favourite race of 2016?
Lucy: I loved the Elsy Jacobs Festival of Cycling in Luxembourg. It was a great race where I learnt a lot and I even enjoyed the rain. The terrain really suited me and I can’t wait to return in 2017!

3. What was the toughest race of 2016 for you?
Lucy: The toughest race for me was the final round of the Tour Series. Going into the race as team leaders was a great but pressured situation. To lose the race due to an unfortunate crash on one of the last corners was pretty heartbreaking. The whole team had worked so hard and we were all gutted. It was tough for us but showed to ourselves and Bob just how much we wanted it- which was a positive we could take away.

4. If there was one thing you learned most in 2016 to help you go faster/better, what was that?
Lucy: How to eat properly in races! I started off the season getting round 130km on a gel and two bottles! Since Annie joined the team, and I chatted to her about what OTE products I should be eating and how much I should be eating, I found massive improvements in my performance and especially how much stronger I was feeling at the end of the race.

5. What is the piece of equipment/clothing that you are looking forward to most in 2017?
Lucy: My Trek Emonda SLR! I loved racing on it this year and so excited that I will be back on it in 2017. Without a doubt the best bike I have ever ridden, couldn’t fault it!

6. What is your warm up routine for races – rollers or turbo? Music or no music?
Lucy: I like to warm up on the rollers- get the legs spinning to some good upbeat music. Warming up without music I find makes me too nervous- music is a good distraction.

7. What’s your favourite discipline on the road; road racing/crits/time trials and why?
Lucy: My favourite discipline is road racing. I love a road race with a challenging course and a sprint at the end! Road racing is my favourite discipline as it is also my strongest! We all love what we are best at right?

8. When will you start training for 2017 and what comes first – long steady miles or a mix of miles and efforts?
Lucy: I started my training for 2017 back in October. My season was cut short due to illness so after a short break and holiday I got straight back into riding after loosing a lot of fitness in August and September. So far I have been doing long steady miles and a lot of strength work in the gym- definitely a tim of year for sore legs!!

9. What are the goals for 2017?
Lucy: My goals for 2017 are to try and challenge for some results. This year as my first year senior it was all about learning. I learnt a lot and gained so much invaluable experience that I hope I can put to use next year and see where I can place myself in some selected UCI races.

I also want to be in a position where I can be a strong domestique for my teammates in races that don’t suit my strengths. We have a lot of depth and varied talents in Drops meaning that hopefully we can challenge for results on all types of terrain.

10. Does winter training consist only of riding the bike or running/swimming/gym work (cross training)?
Lucy: Mainly cycling with gym work. I don’t really do too much cross training, I try and focus on keeping everything cycling based, the DOMs I suffer from other sports such as running etc are pretty rough!

11. What have you learnt over the years to best deal with the winter months on a bike!
Lucy: Mix it up a bit! Winter is the time of year that as cyclists we can really enjoy riding our bikes. I like to get on as many group rides as possible, go mountain biking a little and also use the gym too. It makes those cold winter days much easier!

12. What was the best thing about riding for Drops in 2016?
Lucy: The best thing about riding for Drops in 2016 was the atmosphere. All the riders get on so well – I had so much fun but also learnt so much in the process, I don’t think that there could have been a better place for me as a first year senior rider.

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