Ed Laverack - The Interview
Ed laverack is beginning his fifth season at team JLT-Condor. The U23 National Champion of 2014 took some time from his off season to discuss his opinion on 2016, his favorite races and JLT Condor.
JLT condor have been a massive team in the domestic ranks this year, How much does the team help you to bring out the best in yourself?
'We have a phenomenal work ethic in this Team. John Herety, our support staff, our Coach Tim Kennaugh and all of our key sponsors play a huge role in each of our careers. They are more than just people behind the job titles, they are the brains and power of the outfit. John in particular is very knowledgeable and knows which rider needs to be spoken to in a certain tone. Some can be barked at and they listen, others need to be taken aside and gently told. I think small things like this really help me bring my best to my cycling career.'
This has certainly been proved over the course of 2016 for Team JLT Condor as there results have been nothing but excellent in the domestic ranks as well as abroad with wins in UCI races such as the Rutland Melton CICLE Classic and the tour series.
Who are your best mates on the team?
'It's hard to say. They will tell you that I'm a very inward person. I enjoy my own company, I believe it goes back to my college days doing nothing but work and cycling nonstop. We have such a diverse Team. Everyone's got their own opinions and funny sides. The staff are always fun to be around, and they have to be, dealing with worn out athletes everyday requires you to be amusing. The comradeship in amongst the riders is brilliant though I have to admit. The more experienced riders are great company because of their insights and good old stories and how they don't hold back on the 'banter.''
These more experienced certainly have some knowledge of the peloton with some of them being; Ed Clancy (Double Olympic Gold Medalist) and Russell Downing (Former Team Sky rider and National champion).
Do you prefer racing in the UK or abroad?
'Unfortunately I would have to say that I much prefer racing abroad. Going someplace new on two wheels feels like such an adventure. The nature of the exploration encourages you to pedal faster to see more. The races that I have done in Japan, Australia, Korea, Azerbaijan have all taken place in such vast unforgettable landscapes, it's something you can never relate to in the U.K.'
What is your favourite race to take part in?
'At the moment my favourite race to take part in is my locally organised 10mile time trial with Bynea CC. I say this because unlike a big event it's a very relaxed affair. It usually takes me 20minutes so is a good test for my Power output and there's always friendly encouragement and laughter. You can get a huge amount out of you local Club, time trials are just one of them!'
A very humble answer as these types of races are exactly the sort that we mere mortals can participate in. Ed is not wrong when he says you can get a lot out of a local club. For those of you who aren't already part of a club here is a British cycling link so you can get involved! https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/news/article/20120607-club-static-Join-a-cycling-club-0
We went on to talk of Ed's racing achievements and hopes...
How bigger win for you was the U23 national title and how did it help to advance you in your career?
What is your favourite race to take part in?
'At the moment my favourite race to take part in is my locally organised 10mile time trial with Bynea CC. I say this because unlike a big event it's a very relaxed affair. It usually takes me 20minutes so is a good test for my Power output and there's always friendly encouragement and laughter. You can get a huge amount out of you local Club, time trials are just one of them!'
A very humble answer as these types of races are exactly the sort that we mere mortals can participate in. Ed is not wrong when he says you can get a lot out of a local club. For those of you who aren't already part of a club here is a British cycling link so you can get involved! https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/news/article/20120607-club-static-Join-a-cycling-club-0
We went on to talk of Ed's racing achievements and hopes...
How bigger win for you was the U23 national title and how did it help to advance you in your career?
'It was the biggest achievement of my career. It meant so much to me in the big picture. I'd had a pretty poor Tour of Japan about a month before but I managed to turn it around at the National Championships in Abergavenny which really matured me as a rider. Swings and roundabouts, you are only as good as your last race. Having the Team put their eggs in my basket for the final 40km of the race gave me valuable experience that I have used many times since.'
Ed put in a fantastic performance that day finishing just under 6 minutes behind Peter Kennaugh and Ben Swift.
What's your overall opinion about the 2016 season?
'Better than expected. It was an eye opener yet again. I couldn't start training until January because of a knee injury but within 2 months I was finishing in the front group of the nutritiously wind swept Tour De Normandie, a race I really struggled just to finish a few years ago. Since then I came on leaps and bounds and took some good placings in both the Ras in Ireland and the Tour de Korea, both 8 day races. Korea was another huge step for me finishing 10th overall. I feel like every year I am chipping away and adding one more thing to my 'Palmares.'
What are the goals for next season?
'As of writing this in December, we have yet to confirm which races we will line up at next year. However, I have always, always, had an eye on the Tour of Britain. I have huge ambitions of doing many of the Team's biggest 8 day Stage Races that we will be invited too next year as that is where I believe my strength comes through.'
JLT condor usually get invited to the Tour of Britain but with the UCI world tour ever expanding many Continental teams such as JLT Condor don't really know where they stand. Th Ride-London classic has already been put out of reach for Continental teams as for 2017 this has been upgraded to world tour standard.
What are the overall goals for your career?
' I believe to be successful you still have to have a little part of you like a child. A naive child at that. One that believes that anything is possible, never to stop and think of the consequences. With that being said, I want to ride some of the biggest races in the World. The Tour, the Classics, the Road Worlds. Being a Team Leader or a Loyal 'Domestique.' Beyond my 'Pro' career, if I'm still healthy, I would love to do massive endurance challenges, Lands End to John O'Groats, Around the World, Transcontinental, RAAM and Gran Fondos. My Girlfriend is not amused by these choices!'
Although not mentioning it we at CNO Cycling reckon he could do better than just ride the tour. With these endurance capabilities and also his shows of strength in stage races give him an opportunity to compete in races such as the Tour de France.
Lastly we would like to say thanks to Ed for his involvement in this and we wish him the best for 2017.
