February has been a month of two halves. The first, arguably the more glamorous and definitely the more sublime, was spent in Calpe, Southeast Spain—the new mecca for winter cycling. I was there for a solid week of training ahead of the road season, aiming to build fitness and, hopefully, find some legs before the season openers. Heading out, I knew I had digs with a mate from university, but beyond that, I had no idea what to expect.
It turned out to be an incredible week with great company. Even after nine years of racing, I was still able to learn a lot from the guys who had competed at a higher level and for longer than me. Being out there, surrounded by those riders, and seeing legends of the sport like Marianne Vos, Tim Merlier, and Tom Pidcock on the same roads was a huge boost. It really motivated me for the upcoming season—although I won’t lie, I was feeling it by the end of the week.
After 27 hours in the saddle, covering 710 kilometres, and climbing 13,200 meters, I definitely felt fitter, if a little fatigued. A huge shoutout to Matt at Matt’s Auto Repair Service (MARS)—his sponsorship makes training camps like this possible, and I’m incredibly grateful.
Touching down at East Midlands Airport, the glamour quickly faded, and life took a turn for the ridiculous. Tuesday through Friday felt like I was just going around in circles—literally. Tuesday Track League, Wednesday, Thursday, and Friday TP training, then Saturday at Darley Moor—the coldest place on Earth and a far cry from the warmth of the Col de Rates—for a BCC convoy session. And just like that, my birthday and Valentine’s Day were accounted for.
But sacrifices like these are all part of the process. The big goal for the year was rapidly approaching: The National Track Championships.
The Ridiculous
Heading up to Manchester on Friday after lectures, Dad, Mig, and I arrived at the house to find James, Dannie, Frank, and Rosie—the One Life Team—already settled in. Rosie had made a banging meal, and with no need to be at the track until 11:30 the next morning, we even got a rare lie-in. Bliss.
Alice, my nutritionist (big thanks to Loughborough Sport!), had given me a clear meal plan, so Dad was on breakfast duties: eggs, porridge, fruit, and Nuzest Greens. (For the record, I really hate porridge!) Then it was off to the track.
It had been a while since I last rode in Manchester, and I was feeling pretty nervous. We set up camp, and I started warming up—and cooling down again, thanks to Loughborough Sport for the ice vest and the Heat Chamber sessions!
Then, we waited. Heats went up just 20 minutes before the start. Thankfully, I was in Heat 3. The field was stacked with Olympians, World and European medallists, and GB riders.
Points Qualifier – An Absolute Shambles
James had already qualified in the first heat; Tom hadn’t. Frank looked strong in the second heat and got through easily. Then came Henry’s and my turn.
I had seen that the previous heats had been decided by lap gains, so I had it drilled into my head that I had to force a lap gain. In doing so, I completely forgot about actually winning points.
I got into a break that looked promising—Ben Wiggins was bridging across—but Mark Stewart wasn’t having it. He ramped up the pace, and just like that, the lap gain was gone. The race went back to cagey tactics, and honestly, I don’t think I’ve ever ridden a points race so badly. I even pulled off the front on the bell lap.
I was beyond disappointed with myself.
Back at the house, Rosie had cooked up another storm, but I was still dwelling on the race. Mat (Team Boss) sent a message reminding me to stay calm—it’s all just a learning process. Frank offered some words of advice. And James was… well, James.
Thankfully, Frank, James, and Henry were able to represent the team in the final, with Tom and I watching on and supporting. Henry claimed an impressive silver, just one point behind three-time winner Will Perrett. Frank also put in a great performance to secure a Top 10 finish.
I went to bed exhausted, but fired up to make things right in the scratch race the next day.
The Sublime
Same routine, but an early start. 06:30 wake-up, with Dad on duty once again with more bloody porridge, eggs, and Nuzest.
Arriving at the track, it was sign-on, stretch, and onto the bike for warm-up. I rode the track to settle my nerves.
I was drawn in the second heat for the scratch qualifier—18 riders, 8 qualify. I tried not to watch the first heat too closely and just focused on my own race.
We rolled off the fence. The pace was on and off all race, with nothing really happening until Tom Adby got away and took a lap. Seven spots left to qualify.
With 10 laps to go, the bunch swung up above the blue, and I kicked on underneath. Will Roberts and Elliot Rowe came with me, and we worked well together to stay away. Will Roberts was absolutely flying, pulling massive turns. I hung in, and that was that—James, Frank, Tom, Henry, and I had all qualified for the final!
One Life was on fire.
Then, it was time to recover before the final that night. Cue a lot of sitting about, chatting, and lying down with my legs in the air. Chill.
The Final – The Moment
Rolling up to the start line—what a feeling. A full crowd. My teammates beside me. We made up a fifth of the field.
The race was fast and cagey. 54kph average speed. The bunch was constantly swinging up and down the track—black line to the fence, then back down again. Attack—shut down—repeat.
Then, late in the race, Noah Hobbs sneaked away and drilled it to take a lap. Nobody wanted to pull on the front to bring him back. Gold was gone.
With seven laps to go, the bunch swung up in turns three and four. I was three-quarters of the way back, stacked on the fence. I saw a gap and just went for it—down the track, full gas.
Three to go. I sensed someone closing in—Sam Fisher, last year’s winner. He was flying. He blasted past. A split-second of breath, then back to the grind. Hanging on for third place.
Frank had gassed it behind to take fourth with a perfectly timed sprint. I had the bronze. Henry rolled through in eighth, giving us three in the top ten. Sublime.
Thanks
- Matt at MARS – for supporting the training camps
- Mat Watson at One Life Cycle – for the belief & support
- Frank Longstaff, James Ambrose-Parish, Henry Hobbs and Tom Ward – My amazing teammates
- Loughborough Sport – Max, Alice, Lois, Thea, Matt
- Santini, Nuzest, Brookfield Properties, Runwell, Scream Bikes
- TLC Live Online School, Pedal Potential, Highway Cycles and Newdales for the ongoing support
- Rosie, Danni & Miguel – for the trackside support
- Thomas
- And Mum and Dad, I know how much you commit and sacrifice, thank you!
Gilbank Racing 