Andrew Wright
49, from Wigan Lancashire
How Did You Get Involved In Cycling?
In the early 80s, a guy living nearby worked in Oliver Somers Bike shop in Wigan. He always had the best kit (Hill’s special frame, Campag groupset, San Marco Rolls saddle, Benotto bar tape, Binda toe straps etc, etc) and always looked immaculate. He told me about the Tour de France and the Kellogg’s city centre races on channel 4 TV. I watched and was hooked! I’ve been addicted ever since.
CYCLING HERO
Sean Kelly
BIKE
Specialized S Works Venge, Campagnolo groupset, Mavic Wheels
FAVOURITE PLACE TO RIDE
Mallorca
FAVOURITE PLACE TO RACE
Saighton, Nr Chester
RESULTS
John Cull memorial RR (winner) Stone Wheelers RR (winner)
FAVOURITE SPORT OUTSIDE OF CYCLING
I didn’t realise there were any….
AMBITION FOR THIS SEASON
To help the team as much as possible
Julie Harrison
55 from Wigan, Lancashire
Age group winner of Beaver middle distance triathlon 2014 – Bronze medallist in age group in both standard and middle distance Triathlon England championships. - Achieved All World Athlete status due to finishing ranked 5th in the world in Ironman age group – Ranked No 1 in Britain in Ironman age group – 35 Ironman events completed! (another machine)
How did you get involved in Triathlon?
In 1995 I had just taken part in a 56 mile ultra-marathon run in South Africa and I saw a magazine with a picture of Greg Welch on the front cover. He had just won the world Ironman competition which takes place in Hawaii every year. I read the article and thought I would love to have a go. I couldn’t swim at this point and hadn’t ridden a bike since my teens but I persevered and finally completed my first Ironman in 1996 which consists of a 2.4 mile swim 112 mile bike and a marathon 26.2 mile run.
Tri Hero?
Paula Newby-Fraser – she totally dominated Ironman racing for a long time and still owns the record for the amount of Hawaii wins.
Bike
Scott Plasma Premium
Favourite Place To Ride
Lanzarote
Favourite Place to Race
Has to be Hawaii. It took me a long time to qualify but totally worth it.
Results
Completed 30 Ironman triathlons so far. Qualified and raced in the world ironman championships on two occasions. National middle distance age group champion twice. Current Bronze medal age group winner in triathlon England championships. At present ranked number 1 in the UK for 50-54 age group under the WTC ironman ranking system.
Favourite Sport Outside of Triathlon
Cycling … of course …
Karl Smith
51, From Wilpshire Nr. Blackburn
How did you get involved in Cycling
My cycling life started at 10 years old when I got a 5 speed bike and my dad who had cycled as a teenager, started taking my brother and me on little rides. At the age of 12 I was doing some schoolboy races and absolutely loved racing. I would say I love bike racing more than just cycling.
Cycling Hero
Stephen Roche ( who I was lucky to race against in the Nissan Classic and Kelloggs Tour )
Bike
Dedacciai Scuro RS, Sram equipped, carbon 50c tubular racing wheels.
Favourite place to ride
Round the roads of the Ribble Valley where I live and North Yorkshire.
Favourite place to race
Ireland is my favourite place to race and Isle of Man TT course is my favourite circuit.
Results
Over 100 career wins. Current TLI 45/50 Road Race Champion, Six National Championship Medals, Two wins while riding for Great Britain.
Favourite sport outside of cycling
Golf
Ambition for the season
To represent my new team to the best of my ability so that we all have a successful and enjoyable season.
Roger Leather
45 from Wigan, Lancashire
How did you get involved in Cycling
Having spent most of my childhood on bikes- from Choppers to BMX, I “graduated”, to road bikes through a friend who’s Dad was a Wigan Wheelers stalwart. Local rides became longer rides, which became club-runs…which ended up with entering races from the age of about 12.
Cycling Hero
Sean Kelly
Bike
Scott Foil HMX/ Parlee Z5
Favourite place to ride
Mallorca
Favourite place to race
Bashall Eaves (when it’s dry)
Results
Too far back to remember! Last decent result was 3rd in Swettenham E12 Road Race
Favourite sport outside of cycling
Kitesurfing
Ambition for the season
To help the team as much as possible & get back to 2nd Cat.
Roy Holmes
Current LVRC British criterium age group champion.
How did you get involved in Cycling
In 1975, my neighbour was a cyclist. I used to see him going out on the bike at weekends and wanted to get involved. I did get involved pretty quickly and have been hooked ever since!
Cycling Hero
Sean Kelly
Bike
Scott addict, Shimano groupset, Mavic wheels
Favourite place to ride
Mallorca in the springtime
Favourite place to race
Isle of Man TT course and Bashall Eaves.
Results
Over 50 career wins since age of 18. Current National Cycling and LVRC 50+ Road Race Champion and current TLI National Road Race Champion in his age group.
Favourite sport outside of cycling
Is there any other sport worth watching?!
Ambition for the season
To retain and regain national age group titles.
Thomas Ashcroft
Thomas Ashcroft is our newest cycling team member.
The full profile for Thomas Ashcroft will be published soon