Steve Lampier says that – despite his impressive HSBC UK | National Road Series so far – he feels that the pressure is off him, as one of the most experienced riders in the peloton.

Lampier, who rides for and part-owns Cornish-based Saint Piran, has been in excellent form so far this summer, claiming the overall leader’s jersey early on in the series, and consolidating his current place in the top six of the standings with a good showing at the Tour of the Reservoir, where he finished third on stage 2.

At 35 though, far from feeling the pressure of competition, Lampier is happy to be involved at the sharp end of the series standings yet again.

He said:

“For me now in this position, there’s no pressure on me to race. I race because I love racing. At this point in my career I’m still happy to be competing with younger riders.”

Lampier is using his experience to good effect, passing on his knowledge to a younger crop of Saint Piran riders. Despite the additional challenges that are associated with his role as team principal, he says it’s a job he relishes.

He added:

“I’ve taken things from all of the teams I’ve been involved with in the past, taken the best bits that I’ve discovered along the way and put them into this team. Our riders have stepped up in terms of race results – we are doing a lot better than last year, which was our first proper year at this level, so hopefully upwards from here.

“I’m part-team owner and team principal, so I run the team and work a lot of the logistics out behind the scenes. There’s a lot of pressure on my shoulders in that respect, to teach the young guys what we do and why we do it, so that they can learn and move on to the next level. It’s really rewarding when they do well.”

Following last weekend’s HSBC UK | National Road Championships, the men’s HSBC UK | National Road Series resumes with the Beaumont Trophy this weekend.