Spend a minute with fastest sprinter in the South West.  In 2009 Rob won the Ilton series plus placed highly in a number of other elite races.  Rob also turned his hand to time trialling and managed that rare victory of a win against the clock.

We spent a minute chatting with Rob..

D.O.B. 20-05-81

Height: 178cm

Weight: 73kg

Star Sign: Taurus

Riding style: Fairly aggressive, not one to sit in all race, I choose my moment carefully, watching the moves and trying to get into the right one. I’ll always stay close to the front of the bunch just to keep an eye on things and look out for team mates. Should the opportunity present itself, I’ll try to go it alone in the hope that a couple more riders bridge across to make a go of it.

Strengths: More recently, circuit races, crits and anything with a sprint finish, although I still love the war of attrition in a multi stage road race.

Favourite riders: So many to choose from….’back in the day’ you can’t go wrong with the formidable riding style and ability of Eddy Merckx, with the modern day honours going to Brit – Bradley Wiggins who had an astonishing Tour de France in 2009, showing that the transition between track and road isn’t impossible by any means.

Role models: My parents. They’ve supported me all the way.

Favourite Bike: It’s got to be my new Cyfac Absolu. I’ve only done a couple of races on it so far this season, but it’s a truly awesome machine. Stiff, light, comfortable and flawless in construction. What more could you ask?

Best ride: Probably the Tour of the Millbury’s stage race in 2007. After burying myself in the individual Time Trial, I managed to hold some form for the road race stage. I got away solo early on and mopped up all of the time bonuses, and cruised home ahead of the bunch to take my first ever yellow jersey.

Worst ride: Ras de Cymru 2007. After my team held on to the yellow jersey for much of the event, it all came down to the final stage. After getting in the winning break and being the leader on the road, it all fell apart on the ascent of the Llangynidr Mountain up to the finish line. A big lesson learned that day!

Favourite Tour Stage: It’s got to the infamous Armstrong-Ulrich and ‘The Look’ L’alpe d’Huez, stage 10, 2001. Tension, heroics, and theatrics (on Lance’s part!)

Life changing moment: My first bike, aged 3.

Favourite music: Anything and everything. I’m a bit of an 80’s throw-back, so anything from that era!

Worst Crash: Tour of Dorset 2006. Sitting in the top 5 overall, got in a good break away, a quick touch of wheels and before I knew it I was on the deck, skidding along the road. Kit shredded, bike in bits and a lot less skin than what I started with! That was effectively the end of my race. I returned for the remaining 2 days on a borrowed bike to help my team mate up to 2nd overall.

Thanks to Rob for his time. More from Team Probikekit.com next time.



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