The Pedal Club’s guest speaker for November was world star Fred Wright, the current British professional road race champion
The Pedal Club with Fred Wright
by Chris Lovibond
Graham Temple, the current president, pinning on Mr Wright’s Pedal Club badge.
Fred began with a few words on his background and an explanation of how he came into the sport. His father and grandfather had both been actors and he might well have followed them, but he happened to live in south London and became aware of Herne Hill stadium. Drawn to this, he grew up on the track and finding that he had a talent, was inspired by the ambition to become an Olympic track medallist.
However he soon realised that, from the career point of view, his prospects on the road were better. Trips to Belgium with John Barclay (of the Pedal Club) were an important factor in this decision. At this point we moved to an informative question and answer session.
Question: Given that promising seventh place in the Tour of Flanders, could you win it?
Answer: I’d certainly like to win it, but there’s a certain Slovenian…… I’m more hopeful for Paris- Roubaix – it’s flatter.
Q. Did you have a hero in your formative period?
A. Bradley Wiggins.
Q. How do you see yourself in future Grand Tours?
A. Wearing the leader’s jersey in the Tour de France or the Giro is certainly an ambition. The
The Olympic road race is also a target.
Q. What qualities do you see in yourself?
A. I know what I’m not – a climber! I think my strongest suit is durability.
Q. Would the current pro peloton like to see Cav get Tour de France stage win record?
A. Yes, I believe they would.
Q. Have we finally seen off the Lance Armstrong era?
A. Yes, it’s ancient history now.
Q. In the light of the Pedal Club’s new venture with the John Barclay Academy, how would you set out to encourage young hopefuls?
A. The road race calendar in Britain is now so poor that there is no opportunity to progress without going abroad. I was lucky enough to go to Belgium with John, and those trips were really useful to me. The J.B. Academy seems to be an excellent project.
When asked about his pre-season training mileage, he spoke of hours in the saddle rather than distance, but it was clear that old school supporters of high mileage would not be disappointed.
Fred Wright is a bright prospect for the future – how fortunate we are that Herne Hill survived to give him a start, but how sad that it’s now necessary to go abroad to get into road racing.
This meeting was again held at the Civil Service Club in S.W.1. and was attended by forty five members and guests.
Send your results as well as club, team & event news here
Other Results on VeloUK (including reports containing results)
- Features, Reports, Results
- 2024 National Road Series
- TT Result: Poole Wheelers 10m TT
- Sponsor News: Custom Clothing from Santini
- TT Result: Cambridge CC 25m TT
- News: Ribble launches the Allroad Ti – Crafted for More
- CX Result: Hope SuperCross Series Rd 3
- CX Result: Western CX League Rd 1
- CX Result: Leicestershire CX League Rd 1
- CX Result: London and South East CX League Rd 2
- CX Result: Eastern Region CX League Round 2
- CX Result: NWCCA Round 2 (Leverhulme Park)
- Crit Result: Finsbury Park CC Late Summer Crits
- TT Result: Bute Wheelers 2 Up TTT
- TT Result: Lea Valley CC Crescent Sporting 30
- HC Result: Minehead CC Hill Climb
- HC Result: Minehead CC Porlock Toll Road Hill Climb
- NEWS: The Pedal Club Lunch — September with Jez Cox
- Ultimate Cycling Experience at CHS Ciclismo
- BMCR RESULT: Norman Bright/Dave Burwood Memorial
- Worlds: Great Britain Riders for 2024 Road Worlds
- HC Result: Bute Wheelers Serpentine Hill Climb
- HC Result: Cheshire Maverick Hill Climb
- TT Result: Harrogate Nova CC 10m TT
- TT Result: DAP Cycling Club 10m TT
- CX Result: Wessex Cyclocross League Round 3 (Swindon)
- TT Result: Oxonian CC 50m TT
- TT Result: North Lancashire TT Assoc. 50m TT
- TT Result: VTTA Surrey/Sussex Championship 25m
- TT Result: AWCC Classified 10m TT
- Result: Hitchin Nomads and Beds Road CC Late Season 3/4
- RR Result: Surrey League/trainSharp RR
- Crit Result: Scottish National Youth Circuit Championship
- TT Result: WCTTCA 25 mile Time Trial
- TT Result: Darlington CC/VTTA 10m TT
- HC Result: Reading CC Streatley Hill Climb
- CX Result: Hope SuperCross Series Rd 2
- RR Result: Jolibar Trophy Road Race
- Crit Result: ART & Cycling Coach Henry Stage Race
- Crit Result: West Thames Autumn Series #1
- HC Result: Yorkshire Road Club Hill Climb
Other News on VeloUK
- Sponsor News: Custom Clothing from Santini
- News: Ribble launches the Allroad Ti – Crafted for More
- NEWS: The Pedal Club Lunch — September with Jez Cox
- Ultimate Cycling Experience at CHS Ciclismo
- Worlds: Great Britain Riders for 2024 Road Worlds
- Rider Report: Alistair Gardner wins two Kermesses
- EVENTS: Portmore Classic (29th of September, Dorset)
- STARTLIST: National Youth (GHS) Championship Final
- Tour of Britain: Provisional Startlist
- Sunday: Jef Schils Memorial (National B)
- This Weekend: RTTC National 10 mile Championship
- Q&A: Killian O’Brien – third in the Junior Tour of Wales
- TOM PIDCOCK CONFIRMED FOR LLOYDS BANK TOUR OF BRITAIN MEN
- Startlist: 42nd Junior Tour of Wales
- Startlist: 360 North West Youth Tour
- Tour of Britain: Evenepoel/Alaphilippe To Race National Tour
- GB Juniors for Track Worlds in China
- THIS WEEKEND: CYCLOCROSS (Leicestershire)
- Startlist: Men’s National B (Worcestershire)
- Startlists: Fenwicks Tour of Mendip 2024
- Startlists: 19th Ryedale Grasscrete Grand Prix Road Races
- Men’s Tour of Britain News: Teams for 2024 Race
- Men’s Tour of Britain Route Revealed (Stages 5 & 6)
- NEWS: Women’s UCI Drops Team to Close
- Startlist: Youth and Junior Track Championships 2024
- Startlist: RTTC National 25 Mile Championship (Women/JuniorsYouth)
- Startlists: RTTC National 25 Mile Championship (Men)
- Hill Climb Championships: Change of Course
- TT Result: Ross-On-Wye & Dist CC 25m TT
- News: Men’s Tour of Britain Route (Stage 1 & 2)
- GB News: Paracycling Squad for Paris 2024
- Ribble Redefines Road with launch of Allroad
- BMCR: National Road Bike Time Trial Championship
- SUNDAY: Bath Road Club Junior National Series Road Race
- TLI CYCLING FEATURE: SUPER4SERIES
- NATIONAL CIRCUIT SERIES UPDATE 2024
- News: Josh Tarling Extends Contract at Ineos
- Tour of Britain for Men 2024
- News: Connor Swift Extends Contract with Ineos
- Updated GB Olympic Team News