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Vickers Handed Heavenly Opportunity

Posted: 10th November 2010

Michael Vickers (front right) is seen here listening to British Cycling's Olympic Talent Coach Jeremy Hayes (far left)

A successful student of British Cycling’s Coaching Scholarship has been handed the opportunity of a lifetime by winning a competition to join up with mountain biking legend Steve Peat throughout the upcoming season in 2011.

Keen downhill racer Michael Vickers has been working hard to develop his coaching knowledge in recent months as a Coaching Scholarship holder, but next year his riding abilities will be severely tested as he prepares to line up as part of the Steve Peat Syndicate (SPS).

It is a new programme which aims to offer up-and-coming racers the chance to ride at a professional level with world-class support - and it was through a competition run by the magazine Mountain Biking UK (MBUK) that Michael earned his place.

“I got picked to be one of 15 finalists in competition, which were the two days held in the Forest of Dean at the beginning of November,” a delighted Vickers told British Cycling.

“Steve Peat was there with some guys from MBUK and they judged us on how we tackled the trails and how we interacted with each other. On the second day they narrowed it down to five finalists and from there they picked the winner.

“It is a massive thing for me to win a competition like this, because I can get so much out of it. Not only will I get the chance to improve my riding, but I’ll have the chance to learn so much off someone like Steve Peat, which can only be a good thing for my coaching.”

As his reward, Michael will get all his racing kit provided – including a Santa Cruz V10 carbon – plus pit support at some races next year, whilst he will also get to attend a couple of training days with Peat and another – as yet unnamed – World Cup rider.

But while Michael’s attention will inevitably be drawn to improving his competitive results, the 24-year-old is keen to ensure he absorbs every crumb of knowledge handed his way to boost his coaching skills in years to come.

“I would say joining the team will be a big help to my scholarship,” he admitted. “It will open doors for me and allow me to make contacts in the coaching world. I don’t think I can really do much better in that sense than through Steve Peat.

“Hopefully through working with Steve I’ll gain an insight into working with people in the industry. I’m sure I’m going to pick up plenty of coaching pointers from the man himself that I can use in my own coaching.”

Currently, Vickers works with young people in his day job as a Sports Coordinator at a Pupil Referral Unit in Derby, while he also takes coaching sessions at local clubs. With this privileged access to the elite level of his sport, he is now keen to develop his coaching involvement further.

“I like being involved in every aspect of it (cycling) really,

“I just like being able to see that you’ve been able to explain something to a rider and that they’ve got it and they’re actually developing under your guidance. When you see that somebody has actually got better from what you’ve told them and the way you’ve helped them, that is a buzz you get from coaching.”

Building on lessons learned in Scholarship

It is a buzz which was recognised by British Cycling earlier this year as we launched a Coaching Scholarship programme for 2010-2011. A very limited number of places were available on this 12- month pilot programme which consists of a wide variety of coach development opportunities, tailored to meet the specific needs of the successful candidate.

By his own admission, it has so far been a hugely beneficial opportunity for Michael, and one that he is keen to acknowledge as key to his development.

“The opportunities that I have been given I would never have managed without being on the Scholarship,” he added.

“I’d like to thank the team at British Cycling, especially my mentor Charlie Evans, who has been a big part of the scholarship for me. The knowledge that he has got is second to none really.

“Just recently I got to observe Jeremy Hayes at the BMX Talent Team. That is something, that I wouldn’t have been able to do without the help of British Cycling and my mentor Charlie Evans (Coaching and Education Officer for British Cycling); they’re the sort of opportunities I’m getting from the Scholarship.”

Michael's achievements have not come as a surprise to his mentor on the scholarship programme, Charlie Evans, who said: "We are so pleased for Michael. It is great to see that the qualities that were identified in him when he was interviewed for the Scholarship Programme have again been recognised through the selection process for the Steve Peat Syndicate.

"This is a great opportunity for Michael, both as a rider and as coach, as it will enable him to gain an insight into competing at an elite level, learning from the very best in the sport. Additionally he will experience firsthand the support required to be successful at this level as well as gaining an appreciation of the media demands placed on these guys - what an opportunity!"

For now, Vickers’ attentions are undoubtedly going to be split, but it’s clear he has a focus for the months ahead and he is determined to make the most of all opportunities that may come his way, both as a rider and a coach.

“I’m just hoping to utilise the opportunity to its maximum really and push my riding as much as I can and get myself up there in the race results and promoted to the expert category.

“That’s my goal in terms of my riding. In terms of my coaching, I’d like to be a bit more settled. Hopefully I can be involved in the Derby BMX club and find somewhere to coach mountain biking as well so that I can get a solid structure with that and hopefully start to encourage and develop a few younger riders myself.

“It’s been a bit of a whirlwind of late. I’ve not had too much chance to fully digest what has happened, but as time goes on, it's definitely sinking in and there are things that I can really benefit from, especially for my coaching.”

For more information on British Cycling coaching courses and the Coaching Scholarship, click here,

For information on available funding for British Cycling's Coaching Courses, click here