Q & A Natalie Grinczer (Team WNT)

Part of the new British UCI team, WNT, we quiz Natalie Grinczer on her 2016 and goals for 2017

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Q & A Natalie Grinczer (Team WNT)

“I am really excited to see the full roster for Team WNT 2017” says Natalie. “We are now an even stronger and more diverse team. On paper we should excel in most events and disciplines. It will be great to learn from, support and be supported by more experienced riders and, all being well, I think we are all expecting big things from 2017.

1. What was the highlight of 2016 for you and why?
Natalie: I think the relief and elation of completing Thuringen Rundfahrt back in July. It was the hardest race and longest stage race I have ever competed in. I was really happy to finish well within the top half of a GC of professional riders.

2. What was your favourite/most fun race of 2016
Natalie: The Ras na mBan was my first ever international stage race and I have now raced it four times. I love its unpredictability. It’s a cracking amateur race and if I get my training right, I can normally finish my season there with a successful result.

3. What was the toughest race of 2016 for you and why?
Natalie: Again, the 7 day stage race in Germany – Thuringen Rundfahrt- was the toughest race I have completed. This year it happened to fall a few weeks before the Olympic road race. Not only was it really hot, but the racing was brutal everyday. It took me a good three weeks to recover both physically and mentally!

4. If there was one thing you learned most in 2016 to help you go faster/better, what was that?
Natalie: Panicking is a waste of energy. And trust your training.

5. What is the best piece of equipment (clothing/bike/gadget) to do with racing you are proud of most?
Natalie: The most useful piece of equipment for me has be the the inPower crank by Rotor, I like science and numbers so I like coming in from a ride and analysing.

6. What is your warm up routine for races – rollers or turbo? Music or no music?
Natalie: Turbo – always. No music, just thoughts.
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7. What’s your favourite discipline on the road; road racing/crits/time trials and why!
Natalie: I love stage racing. I can usually hang in on the tough stages and have been known to pull out a fair time trial. I seem to recovery quite well day-to-day and I like that there is more of emphasis on putting in consistent performances.

8. What comes first – long steady miles or a mix of miles and efforts for the early season training?
Natalie: Normally, long winter miles and then going for more specificity in the spring.

9. What are the goals for 2017?
Natalie: I would like to be able to achieve some top 5’s or even podiums in the UK National Series but I would love to place highly on GC this year in UCI stage races.

10. Finally, what will your first race of 2017 be?
Natalie: I’m not sure yet! But my season will start in March following my pre-season training in Spain.

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