SUTTON CYCLING CLUB
Cycling With Youth in Mind
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SUTTON CYCLING CLUB Cycling With Youth in Mind
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How Are They Doing Now?
Alice Monger-Godfrey.Senior members of the Racing Academy and coach Peter Fordham met up with Alice recently when she returned to England to spend Xmas with her family in Ewell. Alice now lives in Oudenarde, Belgium where she and her partner Andrew Griffiths are racing as professionals. Alice spoke to us about how she got started in the sport, her career so far and her objectives. Beginnings.Alice was about 14 yrs. old and attending Nonsuch Girls school when the British Cycling Talent Team coaches arrived at her school to perform their selection tests. Cycles were provided by the BC coaches and the tests consisted of timed rides around and across a predetermined course. Riders who did good times moved onto a more scientific computer - cycle test, the third stage involved rider's parents and discussion on the commitment required. After Alice successfully passed all stages she was taken into the Talent Team. During the same tests Jo Rowsell also qualified and, at a later stage, inspired by their success Erick Rowsell also qualified for the Talent Team. The Talent Team provided loan bikes, clothing, expenses, coaching and residential camps. Alice told us she found things very hard at first as she was not a cyclist before Talent Team. She found she liked cycling and the spirit of the Team, improved gradually and was delighted with her first win, the Sid Standard Junior Ladies Road Race. Her second year on the Team also was her ‘A’ Level year but she wisely determined to get good passes in case cycling didn't work out for her. She can always go to ‘Uni’ later. Alice moved onto the VC Londres and then Glendene Cycling Club. After her ‘A’ levels she rode for Swift (Motor Homes) team here and in Belgium. For her second year in Belgium she rode for ‘Sprinters Malderen’ a Belgian team. Alice took to the Belgian racing scene which is far more competitive and aggressive than English racing. Prizes are better and there are lots of races in Belgium, most of which are not very far away. Her current team provides bonuses for good results, a bike and team transport. She also receives funding from the ‘Dave Rayner Fund’. This Fund was started in memoriam of a young Yorkshireman who was killed outside a night club. We have made donations in the past to this fund and it's nice to know one of our former members has got some benefit. We spoke about winter preparation, Alice being as frustrated by the bad road conditions as we are at the moment. She has been swimming, running and weight training but will be gradually increasing her riding as soon as possible. Alice and her partner Andrew have the advantage of the velodrome in Ghent which they can use whatever the weather. Alice has as her objectives this year to win more races, obtain a good professional contract and finish in the first 20 in a UCI race. Andrew aims to start finishing in the first 10 and get a good professional contract. After our meeting we rode to Richmond Park and did a couple of laps together. We wish them both a good season. Click here to read other articles |
