Rider Profile
Name: Tom Evans
Primary Club: Ben Wyvis CC/Dryburgh Cycles
Biography
I am an 18 year old xc racer from a small village in the north of Scotland. My first appearance at a xc race was in 2009 in Aviemore. From this I have gone from strength to strength and found myself at a higher level than I ever thought possible. With help from Scottish Cycling, my cycling has taken me to many places around the world. In 2010 I had my first trip abroad to race the Fidea Cup in Belgium. That trip was when I really decided to get my head down and take it seriously and from there I have seen great success. In 2012 I raced my first World Cup event in Houffalize, Belgium with the British Cycling team. I see cycling as a whole lifestyle change and one which I have taken a while to adapt to. Many things like diet and training are obvious but the little things in everyday life are what I find to be difference. In September 2012 I moved from the Highlands to Edinburgh to study Sports Science in Edinburgh Napier University. This has made the winter just past totally crazy. I have had to get used to getting the right compromise between study and training whilst looking after myself. I have to say I am really enjoying being in city and all the opportunities it brings. I am currently on the Scottish Cycling Performance Programme and recently had a two week training camp in Gran Canaria with other riders from the program. I am getting used to life out of the younger age categories and into the elite classified racing. The coming season is going to be a massive test for me. I am now out of the Junior age group and making my first appearance as an under 23 ride. This means racing at the highest level in this country and hopefully getting selected to ride for Great Britain at World Cup events. Main aims for this year are the under 23 British Championships and to gain qualification for the Commonwealth games in Glasgow next year. The competition for places is huge this year so I will do the best I can and see what happens. This year I am riding for a local cycling club, "Ben Wyvis Cycle Club/Dryburgh Cycles". I am also receiving support from "Just Riding Along" and "Thumbprint Tuning". I would like to eventually get a place on a professional team and spend my life racing bikes all over the world.
Career Highlights to date
2011:
1st Scottish XC Series Junior
1st Scottish Championship Junior
2nd British XC Round 5
2nd British XC Series
2012:
1st Scottish XC Series Junior
1st Scottish Championship Junior
2nd British XC Round 1
1st British XC Round 5
1st British XC Series Junior
52nd World Cup Round 2
Who inspires you and why
I am inspired by all cyclists who have made it to the top of the sport. Now I have been in the sport for a few years I understand how much they have to give up and how much they put on the line to be as good as they can be. I think it is hard to not be inspired by such names as Chris Hoy and Bradley Wiggins but in the XC world riders like Marco Aurelio Fontana and Nino Schurter have always impressed me the most for being complete riders.
How do you celebrate/relax after a big event
Spend time with the friends I don't normally get to spend time with. Go on a camping trip, eat nice food, have a good time and forget about the cycling world. It's a fantastic world but it isn't half tiring!
To read Tom's article on his first tripn to Gran Canaria as an elite rider click here
