When we decided for definite to push ahead with the Race Team project back in September, we knew we had a really strong core group of riders to build up from, but I don’t think we could have ever imagined quite how quickly things would grow. The original plan was to try and entice around half of my personal clients, with a few other locally based riders working with our other coaches to be bolted on, giving us around 12-15 riders. A strong basis to build from in year one we thought. Come mid-November we had 35 riders – almost all of whom we coach or are a coach at RR – and around 10 helpers all in a holding group waiting to for the team to be announced. We knew we were onto something big.
Our confirmed riders were already winning multiple times each weekend on the local cross scene across various categories. Holding the news back was hard, but we wanted to leave the formal start of the team until 2023 began. Kit design was signed off, sponsors and partner brand all agreed. The excitement within the group was greater than anything I’ve seen in a team I’ve been part of for a long time.
Fast forward three month’s into our debut season and a lot has happened. Our first podium of the year took just two days, with Rich Jones’ 3rd place in the Leicester cross league on Jan 2nd. The remainder of the cross season brought a further two wins and two second places, before the pressure washers, pit trollies and this week’s tyre selection were retired to the shed until next season. Both wins were picked up by Angus Hawkins, taking the early lead in our team win chart.
February came and it was evident how motivated everyone in the camp was when I found myself having to reign people in a little on the race entries! I come from a more old school time, where the race bike stays firmly put away until March begins. Nevertheless, we were rewarded with two wins at Abingdon airfield. Angus picking up the first, extending his lead in the win chart, before a dominating team performance the following week, where Angus, Clay and Matt Watson rode off on only the second lap for a fine 1,2,3. We also lined up in the famous season starter, The Perfs Pedal Race. No such result here, but nice to be part of.
During Jan and Feb we ran weekly Sunday morning team training rides in the lanes around our team base in Milton Keynes. Attendance to these was optional, but perhaps I should have known we were in for a strong start to the season when our first ride was attended by over 80% of the team. We chose to stick a coffee stop in each week – perhaps a little detrimental from a training point of view – but it was something we felt important in ensuring everyone could get to know each other and a team ethos was built. Our E12 team all know each other really well already, coming from a small more close nit scene, but our 34 guys come from a wider spread area. Each week we rode steady until the last 30 mins, at which point an ever fit Gav – a coach and rider for RR – was allowed to start his weekly quest to rip everyone’s legs off!
Elsewhere within the setup, kit and other supplies started to arrive. We’re very fortunate to have been able to secure some fantastic partners and sponsors for our first season, something we are keen to build on, helping to ensure we can offer a complete package to our riders. For this year we are very grateful to; OTE for nutrition, Nopinz for our kit, Abus helmets, Pirelli tyres and FFWD wheels. Long term RR partners Velomotion bike fit in Newport Pagnell and Flamme Rouge cycles in Bedford have also been kind enough to extend their already existing RR coached riders partnership across to the team also.
Moving into March and the start of ‘the season proper’ and the riders were raring to go. To date, March has brought us 7 wins across crit and MTB, including two 1,2’s. We are sitting on a 100% win record in the E12’s at our main stomping ground, the MK Bowl. At E12 level, we have currently won five out of our first eight crits this season, helping ensure we sit right near the top of the BC team rankings. If we can keep that percentage up, I’ll be a very happy boss!
March the 18th brought about the now famous incident at the Wally Gimber National B race in Kent. I’m pleased to report that after some initial worry due the nature of the injury, things got drastically less serious once the situation was under control. I think it’s fair to say the topic has been done to death, so I’ll refrain from commenting any further on the matter. The rider returned home from hospital on Wednesday and is expected to make a full recovery. Everyone at Ride Revolution would like to extend our thanks to all involved in helping at the scene, ensuring a perilous situation didn’t turn into something much worse.
This weekend draws an end to March. We are represented in at least five different races this weekend, so will be looking to build on our strong start to the season. So far we have 11 wins and 20 podiums in total; I’m confident we will add to that this weekend. Most importantly though, will anyone close to gap to Angus at the top of the table?!
Moving into April we are optimistic of a start in the Cicle Classic. With the road season now in full swing and the start of the U23 series imminent, the calibre of the races planned for this month is another step above what we have faced so far. Will we be able to continue the momentum? I’d like to think so. After all, confidence breeds confidence. Looking further ahead, plans have started on our international racing for the year. We are looking likely to line up in three foreign stage races later in summer, a fantastic opportunity for our riders. More on that in our next update
Thanks for reading
Jake
Team manager and Head Coach