Oct 17, 2011
In what has been a great year for British Cycling both nationally and internationally, RUTrainingToday talks to one of the South West’s best exports in professional cycling.
Fresh off the back of a top 5 in the Tour of Britain where he smashed the field into submission on the hills, Jon Tiernan-Locke takes time out to build up a rider profile for us and answer a few of our questions.
Hailing from Plymouth, Jon is the latest rider from the successful stable of former Tour de France rider Colin Lewis. Training mostly out on the barren landscape of Dartmoor, Jon is a hard rider with a strong climbing ability.
His career on the road started with a bold move, bypassing the UK amateur scene to go straight over to France to race for UV-Aube and the CC-Etupes team. He got off to a great start with numerous successes including winning the French Semi-Classic the Souvenir Vietto Gianello. He was later sidelined by a misdiagnosis of glandular fever, which led to a three-year hiatus from racing. During this time, Jon studied for a degree in Industrial Design at Bristol University before returning to competition in 2008.
Since then Jon has gone from strength to strength. Racing a full international program with Rapha Condor Sharp, he formed an integral part of the stage race team, winning many races, including the queen stage of the Ras in Ireland.
How many years have you been road racing?
I started racing competitively in 2003. I raced for 2 years before becoming ill and taking time off the bike. I got back on the bike in 2008 and have been racing ever since, so 6 years in total.
Who is your cycling idol?
Michele Bartoli. He was one of the most successful classics riders of his time. He won a variety of classics, starting with the Ronde van Vlaanderen and Omloop “Het Volk”, and hilly races such as Liège–Bastogne–Liège, Züri-Metzgete, La Flèche Wallonne and the Amstel Gold Race. He won the Giro di Lombardia in 2002 and 2003. He was national champion in 2000, and won the UCI Road World Cup in 1997 and 1998. A true legend.
What was your best result of 2011?
Probably the Vuelta Ciclista a León, a UCI 2.2 stage race in Spain. I got the win on stage 4 from Villaquilambre to Valporquero. It set me up really well and with the support of the team I finished second on G.C.
What has been the highlight of your career so far?
It’s got to be the end of this season and the Tour of Britain. Stage 5 Exeter to Exmouth in particular, my home county being cheered on by the locals and going on to secure the climbers jersey for the team.
Jon at the Tour of Britain 2011
In professional racing, what was your favourite moment of 2011?
Watching the awesome form of Philippe Gilbert in the Tour and the final Time Trial with Cadel giving it everything eating up the seconds between himself and Andy Schleck.
What is it like racing for Rapha Condor Sharp?
It’s been a great opportunity for me over the last two years. My team mates are cool; we all get on well and have a good laugh with moral always being high. The travelling has been great and I’ve raced some fantastic races.
What set-up do you ride at the moment?
Condor Leggero 2011 team issue frameset with Shimano Dura-Ace 7900 throughout and Dura-Ace C35 Carbon Tubular wheels.
What is your favourite pre race meal?
All foods! Just a decent breakfast really. Like they do on the continent, plenty of eggs and pastries. It’s all good stuff.
What is the coolest thing you’ve ever done or been part of on the bike?
Riding the Tour of South Africa earlier in the year. There were Pro-Tour teams struggling as we were on the front of the bunch as a team, stringing it out to defend the yellow jersey of Kristian House. It was quite surreal at times, there were helicopters flying all around us with Elephants and Giraffes at the side of the road as we rode by huge nature reserves.
What are your aspirations for 2012 and beyond?
After competing in a fair few this year, I’d love to win a UCI stage race next year with the prospect of moving onto a Pro-Tour team in the future. I just want to win some big races at home and abroad.
How much longer do you see yourself racing for?
10 years at least. I don’t think I’ve reached my peak yet, there are still plenty of miles left in me.
If you could build your ideal rider, whose legs, attitude and tactical knowledge would you have?
Legs of Philippe Gilbert. He just seems to be able to keep going and going.
Attitude of Mark Cavendish. Always pulls off the win despite the pressure.
Tactics of Thomas Voeckler. He’s pretty switched on in the peleton and knows when to attack.
Quick fire round…
Gels or bars? Bars
Shades or no shades? No shades
Deeps or shallows? Deeps
Big ring or small ring? Big ring
Shimano or campag? Campag
Clincher or tubular? Tubular
Wind or rain? Rain
Fashion or functionality? Fashion
Some inspirational little snippets from what has been a very busy season for the Rapha Condor Sharp rider. Hopefully there’s something in there for everyone whether you know Jon or not. It just goes to show, put in the training and anything is achievable.
Thanks to Jon for taking the time to chat to us and we wish him all the best in the forthcoming season.
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