Talkingshop: Jon Mould & George Atkins

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“We are the Champions!” – 2013’s first British title winners in cycling are Jon Mould and George Atkins who won the Madison title on Saturday. VeloUK spoke to them both …

Photo Album for Atkins & Mould 2013 British Madison Championships

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On Saturday, two young GB Academy riders, George Atkins and Jon Mould (UK Youth) saw off the challenge from two riders from WorldTour teams, Peter Kennaugh (Sky) and Adam Blythe (BMC).  Kennaugh is also an Olympic champion from London so it was quite something that these GB Academy riders, yet to reach the heady heights in the sport that their rivals have, were able to triumph in a race where both speed, strength and endurance are all needed for an event over 50 kilometres or 200 laps of the track.

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George Atkins and Adam Blythe race to the line to get the points needed to win the Championship and Atkins gets there first…

Talking to UK Youth signing for 2013, Jon Mould, he was unsurprisingly pleased as he came off the track saying that it must have been a great race to watch, which of course for the large part it was. “We have done a lot of track work to be ready for the Mexico World Cup and I felt really good in the sprints. George was going well in them as well and its looking good for the World Cup we hope.”

Asked what the key was to the Madison victory, Jon replied “It was quite tactical and we knew were going to have to split it and we knew Pete and Adam were going to do that what ever happened because they wanted to be away from everyone. So we used them a bit and got stuck into the sprints.”

Asked how the race compared to other Madison champs he’s done, Jon says “I did one as a Junior with Sam Harrison and we were 4th and there were Pete and Mark Cavendish, Luke Rowe and Geraint Thomas and Alex Dowsett and Andy Fenn and that was the toughest I’ve done as we were swinging that day. This one was just as tough but when you’re racing for it, it kind of makes it a bit easier!”

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Jon Mould on his Welsh team issue Dolan track bike on his way to winning the British Madison Championship

Talking about the season ahead where Jon will be riding for UK Youth, Jon explained “I had tough year in 2012 and really want to make up for it this year with UK Youth.” Asked what he is looking forward to most this year, Jon replied “a few races on the continent but I’m looking forward to the Tour Series really. I’ve watched it on TV when I was a Junior and never raced it so I am looking forward to giving that a go.”

Jon explained he’s been doing a lot of hard work prior to this season with former GB coach Darren Tudor which explains the rich vein form he has. “I’ve been living at home in Wales and on the boards three times a week at Newport ready for the World Cups and had a three day camp between Christmas and New Year. I’m feeling pretty good and hope I can keep this form!”

George Atkins:
It’s been a while since former British Junior Road Race Champion George Atkins has looked as unbeatable as he did on Saturday afternoon but the East Midlands rider certainly appears to be back in the form of his life.

“I’m super happy to win that” he said as he returned to his pen in the track centre to warm down.

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Jon Mould and George Atkins in their ‘stripey jumpers’ after winning the Madison Championship

“Last year I was doing all the training and felt like I was being super professional about it in my approach but it wasn’t there. I was probably lacking some strength from the time out but now I do think I am back to my old self.”

Talking about how they were able to win the crucial sprints, George put it all down to his track time. “Blythe is one of the quickest sprinters in the World and Pete is an Olympic Team Pursuit Champion so I don’t think they are any slower than us by any means. I think it came down to track time that we’ve had preparing for the Mexico World Cup.”

George went on to add that they rode a 94 inch gear which was the biggest they have ever ridden for a Madison and as he crossed the line, it was clear that George was well pleased with that victory. “I wanted that so much as it means we get to ride the stripes in the World Cup and that could be the last time on the track as I’m in my last year on the Academy.”

“The track is my passion and that’s what I want to do but it seems like after the Academy there won’t be a real opportunity on the track so I am enjoying every moment I can right now.”

One senses that perhaps a career in the Six Day’s might suit him where he can take full advantage of that passion for the track and his undoubted speed and ability on the boards.

Report/Photos/Results from 2013 Madison Championships

 

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