Feature: SwiftCarbon Get Yorkshire Invite

A new team in 2019, SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling get the year off to a great start by getting an invite to one of the country’s biggest international bike races – we quiz Carolyn Nelson, Team Principal on the big opportunity

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Feature: SwiftCarbon Get Yorkshire Invite

A new team in 2019, SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling get the year off to a great start by getting an invite to one of the country’s biggest international bike races – we quiz Carolyn Nelson, Team Principal on the big opportunity

1. What does it mean to the team to be in one of the countrys biggest races?
SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling: Clearly, it’s an honour and a pretty amazing achievement for us as a first year UCI Conti team, especially as the race is getting bigger each year and now a HC ranked event. As a Yorkshire based UCI team, I always thought we had a chance, as we put a lot of work into publicising our strong desire to ride it.

That said, I believe we got the nod on merit and we have guys on the team. like Pete Williams who has ridden all editions to date as well as those who have placed well on GC such as James Shaw and Ed Laverack. Depending on who is picked, we may have five riders from this neck of the woods riding their local roads.

It’s also testament to the several years of hard work that the staff and personnel on the team have done to get to this point and its as much for them, many of who are from Yorkshire. Personally, living on the course in Pateley Bridge, North Yorkshire, I’ve watched the race come through the village every year, so it will be a bit surreal driving right past my house actually taking part in the race.

Overall, I’m clearly proud of the team, but not complacent. We’ve a lot of work to do before then and we have to retain a bit of humility out of respect for the ‘opposition’ and for any team who was not selected for whatever reason.

2. How difficult will it be to select the riders in the team for this very tough and high profile race?
SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling: As always, very. It’s an event that virtually every rider has targeted and put their hand up for, so it will be tough on those not selected. As important a race it is, and despite the fact it was one of our season goals, we can’t build our entire season around it. It does create great competition for places, but for the guys that miss out, there will be other plenty of other UCI opportunities.

3. How does a team go about choosing which riders get the nod for this huge event?
SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling: For us the main criteria are experience, motivation, attitude, form and team role. I have riders in mind as things stand, but I will wait till as close to the event to finalise, knowing that or two guys will come up on the rails with a top result or great form making things very difficult for me.

4. Does this mean extra work for the team now to recce the stages?
SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling: Fortunately, we know many of the roads we’ll be riding, so we can draw on collective knowledge. We will be having a look at some sections but everyone knows all about the super tough bits. We’ll be taking a good look at one or two lesser known sections though on a forthcoming Yorkshire training camp.

5. Has the team given thought to the strategy for the race? IE, breakaways, GC, stage results?
SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling: Now that would be giving way too much away ;-) All I can say is that we will be super positive, brave and smart. Out team mantra as always is “Go hard, or……don’t” (it’s an in-joke!!)

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6. Does this opportunity for the riders give them an extra boost in motivation knowing they have this challenge ahead of them.
SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling: Without a doubt. It’s a massive early season motivator and I ‘m confident the guys are putting the relevant hard miles in right now, building on their winter training.

7. Will your race programme be amended ahead of Yorkshire or training camps added to prepare for the race.
SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling: As we all know, quality UK races at this time of year are quite thin on the ground, and were restricted to Nat B’s and trips over the channel to Belgium or Holland. That said the guys are smart and most know how to prepare with relevant training blocks. We’ve a combination of a mini camp, a couple of tough Nat B’s, a Prem, the CiCLE Classic and the Loir et Cher stage race beforehand, so the guys selected will be ready for sure.

8. Finally, what is the reaction from the sponsors of the team when they hear the news of the team getting a ride in this huge event?
SwiftCarbon Pro Cycling: As much as we thought we had a chance, getting into a race of this stature is not a foregone conclusion, so I hope they are extremely excited. We were quite bold in our forecast to them at the outset and we’re just glad the hard work and risk has paid off. It’s now down us to collaborate with all our respected partners to go and exploit the fantastic opportunity that lies ahead.

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