Feature: Alastair Hepworth Q & A

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Feature question and answer with under 23 rider and student Alastair Hepworth of Envelopemaster Giant Sheffield

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Feature: Alastair Hepworth Q & A

1. When will you start your road season and what will be the first race?
Alastair: Early March I think as we usually kick off around then. We will start with the Severn Bridge road race as we have done the last couple of years. Its a long way for us based in Sheffield but a good hard race to test the legs coming out of winter.

2. What races will be your targets for 2016 and why?
Alastair: I’d like to win the University road champs as its my last year as a student this year and also I’d like to have a good crack at the Under 23 National Road Race as its my last year as an Under 23 as well! However, both these races fall at a crucial point in my degree so going into them in perfect shape could be difficult!

3. How will you spend the time on the bike between now and your first race in training?
Alastair: Probably lots of turbo stuff, and hopefully some motor pacing too. I’ve been building up the miles steadily since mid October and did a training camp in Benidorm just before Christmas, so I should be ready to start throwing a few efforts in building up to our first race. I’ve got a good coach called Tom Murray – Minty to his friends ;-) who looks after me, and he knows his stuff so I’ll trust him with all that.

4. What was your favourite Xmas present?
Alastair: One from my brother, Richard. He got me a fancy meal out for two in York, however I’ve not got a girlfriend so I think it might of been some kind of hint? I also got a pair of new Oakleys which were pretty mint too!

5. When it rains, which its doing a lot right now, is it turbo time or wrap up and get wet? 
Alastair: Turbo! As a general rule, if I look out the window and its lashing it down, I won’t go out. If I get soaked while I’m out well then thats just tough! At this time of year, its daft to go out in the wet and cold (in my opinion – some people like it) as its probably going to do more harm than good. Ideally, I’d fly off somewhere warm… but unfortunately the student loan doesn’t stretch that far I’m afraid! My favourite tip for staying dry I think would be to divert to the nearest cafe and order a brew! Then ring mum up to come and get me! (joke – I’ve never done that..)

 

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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?
Alastair: Tough question. Obviously every rider would like to ride a Grand Tour etc and some of the stages in the Giro racing between 8 foot high snow drifts in the Alps would be pretty epic to ride. Also I’d love to ride the Tour of Yorkshire as I’m a proper Yorkshire lad!

7. What piece of food can you not do without where ever you are on the road during the season!
Alastair: Breakfast cereal. Practically live off the stuff!

8. What is your favourite music track when warming up for a race or on the turbo?
Alastair: Wouldn’t say I’ve got a particular song I listen to every time, I normally just stick a Spotify playlist on. As long as its loud, anything to make me forget that I’m sat on a turbo staring at a wall.

9. If given the option, would you prefer normal brakes or disc brakes on your road bike?
Alastair: Not really fussed about discs to be honest. There has rarely been a time on my bike where I’ve thought “shit I’m not going to stop, I wish I had better brakes” and they look a bit weird so I’d probably just go for old school callipers!

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!)
Alastair: We’re lucky to have awesome bikes, as we are on top spec Giant TCRs with Dura Ace Di2 and carbon training wheels! Its genuinely one of the best bits of kit on the market. I’ve never had Di2 before, and as I’m doing electronics at Uni I’m quite looking forward to messing around with it!

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