Feature – Matt Brammeier Q & A

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Team Dimension Data’s Matt Brammeier is first in the New Year’s VeloUK Question and Answer

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Feature – Matt Brammeier Q & A

The multiple Irish National Road Race Champion has raced at the World Tour level in the past and is happy to be back at that level with Team Dimension Data for Qhubeka.

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He has made a name for himself as a loyal team player. At nearly 30 years of age, he brings a lot of experience to the team and will play an important role in setting up our fast guys, he is particularly excited to be working with Mark Cavendish once again.

Four National road titles against strong competition are proof of his ability to grab his own chances when given the opportunity. He also picked up his first pro win last year at the Ster ZLM Toer and despite a horrific season ending crash at the Tour of Utah, Matt is back on the bike and already preparing well for his second season with Africa’s Team.

This is Matt’s Q & A

1. When will you start your road season and what will be the first race?
Matt: I’ll start with the Majorca Challenge and then on to the Tour of Dubai.

2. What races will be your targets for 2016 and why?
Matt: Firstly I would like to have a good crack at (Paris) Roubaix. It’s always been one of the most inspiring races for me and after I had such a nightmare of a day in 2015, I want to have a good day out there. After that, I want to make the selection for the Tour de France, to be in the team riding in the lead out train with Cav in my first Tour would be pretty special.

The Olympic Games is also going to be a goal next year. If I’m in good shape, I’m confident I can do a good job keeping our guys in with a good chance of a good ride in the first 150-180kms. We have some strong riders, some capable of a podium spot on their best day but they will need some good help on the day, keeping the out of trouble and making sure they have everything they need.

3. How will you spend the time on the bike between now and your first race in training?
Matt: I’ll do what my trainer tells me haha! I pay him so I don’t have to think about that stuff!

4. What was your favourite Xmas present?
Matt: Nikki’s nan bought me a box of liquorice all sorts – they didn’t last the day!

5. When it rains, which it’s doing a lot right now, is it turbo time or wrap up and get wet?
Matt: I live in Spain for the majority of the year so I have the luxury to be able to skip a day if it’s raining. Usually, it will just be one day. If it’s raining the second day, I will go on the trainer. If it’s raining the third day. I will dig out the rain jacket and harden up.

6. If you could do any race in the World, which one would it be?
Matt: The Olympic Games, it doesn’t take much explaining, it’s the pinnacle of sport.

MattBrammeier2011_ToBWEB

Matt in the colours of another World Tour team, HTC, and the Irish champions colours ;-)

7. What piece of food can you not do without where ever you are on the road during the season!
Matt: There’s not really a food but I can’t go anywhere without coffee!

8. What is your favourite music track when warming up for a race or on the turbo?
Matt: I generally have a few hours to warm up for races so don’t need to get on the turbo ha ha. I’ll listen to anything as I have such a broad range of music on my iPod; anything from the Beatles to the Weeknd.

9. If given the option, would you prefer normal brakes or disc brakes on your road bike?
Matt: If I could have a wheel change in less than 10 seconds, then I’d go for disc brakes. Until that problem is sorted and there is a standardised rotor size & axle choice, I think I’d prefer to stay old school.

10. What’s the spec of your race bike for 2016 and your favourite bits on it?
Matt: I’ll be riding a Cervelo S5, Rotor uno groupset, Enve wheels & finishing kit, Fizik Arione saddle, Speedplay pedals & Continental tires. It sounds cliche, but if I could go out and put together a bike, money no object, this wouldn’t be far off it! I honestly think we have such fantastic material partners who are working closely with us every day to make sure we have the best & fastest bike in the peloton.

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