Riders in Spain: Tom Martin

Tom is from the South Lakes area in Cumbria and is about to start his second season in Spain with the same team. Tom is starting his Spanish season for Brocar-Ale in Collindres, Cantabria with two hilly one day races.

Riders in Spain: Tom Martin

Tom is from the South Lakes area in Cumbria and is about to start his second season in Spain with the same team which has changed names from Netllar-Ale to Brocar-Ale. Tom is starting his Spanish season for Brocar-Ale in Collindres, Cantabria with two hilly one day races.

Day one is Memorial Jesus Pereda, 138km with plenty of climbing so it will most likely be a small group at the finish. Day two is XL Memorial Juan Manuel Santisteban, 151km and again with a lot of climbing using similar and some of the same roads as the day before. Last year was a solo winner from a select group. (Tom was in the second group that day).

There will be 200 riders starting each day as the season is now well underway in Spain with several top level Elite/U23 races on each weekend across the country. Tom says “I’m hoping to start my season well. I’ve taken a more steady build up over the winter with it being my second year on the team. They know what I’m able to do so I expect to take a few races to get some race legs building up to my goals”.

Tom explained there are many other Brits on the team this year and for a lot of them, it’s their first time racing in Europe. He also expects to see some other British riders from various teams.

Being from Cumbria, it is no surprise that Tom has spent time racing with a well known team from that area, Wheelbase Cabtech. “I’ve always ridden mountain bikes for fun and did my first MTB race when I was 15 but didn’t start riding the road properly until I was a second year junior.”

Above: Profile for Memorial Jesus Pereda

“As a first year Under 23, I did a mix of road stuff with Wheelbase Cabtech such as National Bs and some Prems as well MTB XC & CX racing. My second season as an Under 23 was hampered with a knee injury as well as my third year in 2020 when I joined Zappi”.

Tom isn’t relying on cycling as his career either and completed his four year full time mechanical engineering apprenticeship in 2019 and was fortunately allowed to take a career break so he joined Zappi in Italy for 2020. “The pandemic alongside an early season knee injury for me didn’t leave me like many others with many races”.

“I was able to get a ride on the Spanish team and I’ve loved racing and living in Spain. I was hoping to progress to UCI level with it being my final year as an Under 23 but it didn’t work out in the end and after a winter in the UK working in mechanical engineering full time and training around shifts, I’m back in Spain ready to take the opportunity with both hands to step up”.

Good luck to Tom in 2022!
As a 62 year old who raced from 1973 (13 year old) I can confess to any youngster, the years will pass you by quickly so take it all in, enjoy and make the most of the years when you can live the dream!