Feature: Karl Baillie (Raleigh GAC)

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One of Raleigh-GAC’s first year seniors for 2016 is Karl Baillie, winner of the Dave Rayner Junior RR and stage 2 of the Junior Tour of the Basque country in 2015

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Feature: Karl Baillie (Raleigh GAC)

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Karl in the 2015 Junior Road Race Championships

1. When will you start your road season and what will be the first race?
Karl: My road season will be starting in mid to late March after the team training camp in Calpe.

2. What races will be your targets for 2016 and why?
Karl: For me, the target for 2016 will be to get into the squad for the big races like the Tour de Yorkshire or RideLondon. I know it’ll be a big ask with the strength of the squad added to the fact that everyone wants to ride those sort of races. I’m just going to get stuck in, try to become valuable to the team and seize on any opportunities for results.

3. How will you spend the time on the bike between now and your first race in training? Long miles or cutting back to do top end efforts?
Karl: I’m coached by Chris McNamara at Trainsharp and I’ll do as he tells me. I’ve been with Trainsharp for over a year now after being introduced to them with the HMT Academy. They know exactly what they’re on about and it means I don’t have to think too much about it. Derby track league is something that I’m thinking of doing for some top end work before the season starts.

4. What was your favourite Xmas present?
Karl: My favourite Christmas present was a ‘Ted’ from the film. You press his hand and you get quotes from the film. It’s a perfect teddy bear for a teenager!

5. When it rains, which its doing a lot right now, is it turbo time or wrap up and get wet? (if the latter, what’s your favourite tip to stay dry in the rain)
Karl: I prefer to wrap up and get wet. My biggest fear in life is ending up in an office job so I always prefer to get out. As long as I’m warm, I don’t mind getting wet.

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6. If you could do any race in the world including the best ones in the world etc, what would it be and why?
Karl: It has to be the Tour de France for me. It has everything and can be three weeks of effectively a mix of one day classics.

7. What piece of food can you not do without where ever you are on the road during the season!
Karl: Rice pudding is always a favourite pre and post race.

8. What is your favourite music track when warming up for a race or on the turbo?
Karl: Royal Blood – Little Monster … It’s just the best!

9. If given the option, would you prefer normal brakes or disc brakes on your road bike?
Karl: Normal brakes just from a safety point of view when racing in a bunch.

10. What’s the spec of your race bike for 2016 and your favourite bits on it? (include a pic or two if you have them!)
Karl: Raleigh Militis with SRAM Red groupset, a Fizik Arione saddle and FSA finishing kit. Big fan of the colour scheme.

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Last year’s Raleigh Militis, a favourite with the riders during 2015.

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