Quiz Time! Hannah Bayes (Saint Piran)

Question and answer time with new signing for Saint Piran, 22 year old Hannah Bayes from North Yorkshire, who has been racing for five years after having been a runner and triathlete

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Quiz Time! Hannah Bayes (Saint Piran)

Question and answer time with new signing for Saint Piran, 22 year old Hannah Bayes from North Yorkshire, who has been racing for five years after having been a runner and triathlete. Hannah came to race bikes after realising cycling was her strongest discipline in triathlons.

Q: How difficult was 2020 with little racing or did it give you time to reset, refresh and focus on 2021?
Hannah: I didn’t find the year too difficult for cycling. I enjoyed doing some longer and more challenging rides on the bike that I wouldn’t have done if it was race season. My work as a Veterinary Nurse did not change much and I was very busy studying at the time to get qualified so a break from racing meant I didn’t have to miss out on much.

Q: Do you think you came out of 2020 stronger, the same or less strong as you were before that season of no races?
Hannah:I’d like to think stronger but it did take me a few races to get back into the swing of racing.

Q: What was the highlight of your racing in 2021?
Hannah: Probably has to be a top 10 at Otley GP or 11th in the national circuit championships in Lincoln. Both races were an incredible atmosphere and I loved both circuits.

Q: What race in your career is the one that still gives you the biggest buzz?
Hannah:It’s got to be racing the Womens Tour (World Tour stage race). I experienced some real highs and lows with that race but I won’t forget the amazing experience of racing in a world tour peloton.

Q: Were there learning moments in 2021 races and if so, what were they?
Hannah: Definitely. I have struggled mentally with confidence descending or in wet weather in the bunch this year. It’s something I’m working on and I’m determined to not be let down by it in races next season.

Q: What’s the furthest you have travelled for a bike race in 2021?
Hannah: Ireland for the Ras n mBan.

Q: During a race, do you find there is a lot of talk between riders in the same team to deal with changes in the race like breaks going, key points in the course approaching and the finish coming fast?
Hannah: I’ve seen other teams communicate with their team mates really well during races. In 2022, with Saint Piran, we have a strong squad in strength and numbers so this is something we will be able to build on.

Q: Do you go into a race nervous or intimated by other riders or do you have the confidence to hold you own and race the race confidently in your own style?
Hannah: For me it really depends on the course and style of race. I manage to hold my own in crit races really well but this is something I’m still working on in road races.

Q: Do you train more in a given week in winter than what you do in summer when there is a lot of racing and travelling?
Hannah: Usually yes.

Q: Do you train on a training bike or the race bike …
Hannah: I use my training bike unless the weather is good in which case I’ll use the race bike. Through the winter, I’ll mainly use my winter bike with mudguards too. It makes the race bike feel super fast when I get to use it.

Q: Do you cross train at all, running, swimming, gym or other disciplines like MTB
Hannah: I do some cyclo cross through the winter as well as gym work. I prefer racing over training so having cyclo cross through the winter helps with motivation.

Q: Where is your favourite training ride?
Hannah: It’s got to be in the North Yorkshire moors. I rode a lot in the moors through lockdown including a pretty epic route with 10,000 feet of climbing.

Q: What type of race suits you best? (Time Trial, Circuit Race, Hilly or Flat road races)
Hannah: Crit races are definitely my favourite. I enjoy hilly road races especially the longer hills like in the Queen stage of the Ras n mBan.

Q: What are your tips for staying warm on a long winter ride?
Hannah: Good winter kit and mudguards to stop you getting soaked!

Q: What are goals for 2022
Hannah: I want to target the national series and tour series to improve my results from this year.

Q: It has been said a change is as good as a holiday – is coming to Saint Piran something that you can use to motivate yourself during winter training?
Hannah: Definitely, I’m so looking forward to start racing with Saint Piran. Its a really positive environment within the team which will help riders thrive. We had a training camp down in Cornwall at the start of November so I got to meet some of my teammates for next year which is really exciting.

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