Quiz Time: Arianne Holland (Alba Development Road Team)

Q&A with Arianne Holland of the Alba Development Road Team who is looking forward to some UCI racing saying “the overall atmosphere makes it feel very different”

Quiz Time: Arianne Holland (Alba Development Road Team)

Q: With the exciting news from the team for 2024, has that made your winter training faster and provided lots of motivation?
Arianne: It has definitely added some extra motivation! I’m very excited for the year ahead and to be making the step up with the team, and the excitement has made getting out in the Scottish winter a little more bearable for sure.

Q: How much training in the winter each week are you able to do?
Arianne: It varies week to week, but I generally do somewhere between 12-16 hours on the bike and then s&c on top which is something we have added in this winter.

Q:What’s been the hardest challenge for you this winter on or off the bike?
Arianne: The weather! The Scottish climate has definitely been challenging and had led to some long turbo rides and some very soggy cold rides also. I have tried some cross racing this winter which has kept things more varied, and subsequently have been doing a bit more off road in general where hiding from the weather is easier!

Q: Looking back at the 2023 season, did it go to plan or were there challenges from time to time?
Arianne: Generally, it went to plan. I improved on my biggest goal which was positioning work in the bunch.

Q: What race was the most fun to do in 2023? 
Arianne: I loved Ilkley (town centre racing). The atmosphere was amazing and the race is such good fun. I also really enjoyed the Ras (Ireland) and everything that comes with doing a stage race!

Q: What race was the toughest on the legs and head?
Arianne: Probably the British champs road race. Having worked on positioning all year, I lost my head on the fast descent to the roundabout and you can’t get away with that in that standard of field.

Q: Do you put pressure on yourself for results or just go out there to enjoy it and grab a result if it’s on offer
Arianne: I have been focussing more on process goals rather than results previously, as I had a lot to work on before thinking about results! I am going into this year with a similar mindset, although the goals have shifted and hopefully some results will follow. I had a lot of fun in 2023, which is one of the most important parts for me.

Q: What performance (yours or a fellow rider) are you most proud of from 2023?
Arianne: Amelia’s ride at the British champs definitely deserves a mention! Oh and Eilidh’s ride at Curlew. Having had an injury meaning she couldn’t race for a big chunk of the season, it was really impressive to see her come back and be smashing it up the ryals.

Q: Have you experienced UCI racing abroad? 
Arianne: We raced at a UCI race in Belgium last year which was great experience. I’m looking forward to racing in Europe again as the bigger bunches and the overall atmosphere make it feel very different.

Q: Is it an ‘adventure’ traveling to races abroad with teammates?
Arianne: It does feel like an adventure, and it’s really cool that we get to see different parts of the world all thanks to cycling!

Q: Are their specific races in 2024 you are looking forward to most?
Arianne: I’m looking forward to the hillier national series races, and to the UCI ones abroad.

Q: What goals are important to you for 2024?
Arianne: I’m looking to build on the experience gained from 2023 and to hopefully see an improvement in results, whilst having fun and continuing to learn as much as I can.

Thank you Arianne and good luck for 2024!

 

 

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