First race, first win. Traders Cup- Dundalk 24/02/13

Hi Guys

I've had a really exciting weekend and start to the race season. 

It began on Friday evening when I arrived at Dublin airport to see Martyn Irvine in the arrivals hall in his World Champs jersey being welcomed home by a crowd all keen to see the World Track Champion and his medals. I spoke to him briefly about training with him in Majorca the previous week, and congratulated him on his incredible wins. Martyn has made history being the first irish track cyclist in 117 years to win Gold...really inspiring!!

Martyn Irvine at Dublin airport, new World Scratch Champion,
and Silver in the Individual Pursuit

On the Saturday I attended the Junior Development Squad in Bray, Co Wicklow, which consisted of a 2.5 hour ride and a workshop with Tommy the Cycling Ireland mechanic. It was also the first opportunity to get to know the new first years on the squad.

On Sunday I rode my first race of the season at the Traders Cup in Dundalk, Co.Louth, Ireland, I won the race!!! 
I was so happy crossing the line after being in an 8 man break for a lot of the race. The race was on a flat course and covered just less than 50 miles. The weather was mainly dry but very cold. It hailed for a while during the race, but this passed before the finish. The race finished in a bunch sprint from a large field (130 riders started the race).

Winning the Traders Cup Dundalk 24/02/13

I was riding up in the top 8 for the last 3km and squeezed through a small gap with about 300m to go and kicked for the finish. I opened up a gap of a few bike lengths from the rest of the field and held it to the line. A huge thanks to the organisers and everyone who helped with the race. Especially Karl Dolan as he fixed my bike late on Saturday night after I stripped the threads on my seat post clamp, without his help I wouldn't have made the start line.

Here is the link to the article about my win, http://www.stickybottle.com/races-results/junior-international-james-king-takes-traders-cup-ahead-of-comeback-man-ken-tobin/

Top Step on the podium

Wearing the new DMT podium shoes, thanks Paligap

Me with the Traders Cup Trophy

Here is a short video of the finish. 

I really enjoyed my time in Ireland, and hopefully I will be back soon. Thanks to all of the Team Sportscover sponsors for their support; Sportscover, Bioracer, CNP, Haribo, Challenge Tyres, Avanti, DMT, Oakley, Paligap, Ritchey, Kask, Cycleops, Speedplay, The Hospital Management Trust. D.M Keith SKODA

I have a lot of college work to catch up on now, back to reality after living the last two weeks like a full time bike rider.

If any individual or company is interested in sponsoring me or Team Sportscover please get in touch as all support is really appreciated. 

Thanks for reading,

James
@jamesjosephking

Team Sportscover Team Launch NB

Hi Guys

Here is a video of the Team Launch at the Manchester Bike and Tri Show which took place on 17th February. 



I really enjoyed the Team Launch, and helping out on the CNP and Paligap stand was good fun, we also met some of the sponsors which will be supporting the team this year. Here are a few photos too, and also a link to a short video following the team on a training ride. Team Sportscover Training Ride Video

Thanks to all of the sponsors for their support, Sportscover, Bioracer, CNP, Haribo, Challenge Tyres, Avanti, DMT, Oakley, Paligap, Ritchey, Kask, Cycleops, Speedplay, The Hospital Management Trust, D.M Keith SKODA

Till next time,

James
@jamesjosephking

Majorca Training Camp with Irish Junior Development Squad

Hi guys,

Just an update on my training camp in Majorca with the Irish Junior Development Squad. We were based in Alaró just outside of Palma for the week and the camp focused on road and track. 

After a day of travelling we arrived and unloaded the bikes at Andy Sparks' place where Martyn Irvine, Caroline Ryan, and a few other riders were staying ahead of the World Track Champs. We stayed in a Hostel just up the road which was a typical Majorcan Bed and Breakfast. Here are some of the views from the rooms.

The first day comprised of building bikes in the morning followed by a two hour spin to loosen the legs and track in the evening. This day was the busiest with 11 road bikes to build and 10 track bikes. Most days followed a similar schedule of Breakfast at 8am and out on the road for 10am. Lunch at Cycling Planet at 1:30 and head to the track in Palma for the afternoon.

The roads were wet for the first few days, so we stayed clear of the hills and rode on the flat. It was only on the last two days that we hit the hills, as the weather really picked up. There is nothing like it where I live, 5km climbs at a constant gradient on perfect roads made for great climbing. The long descents where great too with sweeping bends which gave plenty of opportunities to improve descending technique. The scenery was pretty spectacular and I can certainly see why all the pros are out training in Majorca this time of year. I got a real buzz from training on new roads with the lads in some great weather. 

We focused mainly on Team Pursuit on the track. Some of the lads had never ridden track before but everyone picked it up quick and it wasn't long before we were getting stuck into some technical stuff. 

I had a really great time and was nice to get away from the snow and train with a great group, it was a real laugh. I'm in Ireland next weekend for the next training camp so will catch up with everyone again then. Thanks to Brian Nugent, Frank O'Leary, and Martin O'Loughlin for supporting us over the week. 

Until next time,

James

@jamesjosephking

Hello and welcome to my blog for 2013. I will post regular updates on my racing, training, and other interesting things on here and my twitter page @jamesjosephking. 

Firstly I have signed for a new team for the 2013 season, Sportscover Cycling Team under the guidance of Mark Barry and Ashley Brown. The team is made up of 5 seniors and 4 juniors. My fellow junior team mates are Ollie Wood, Jake Womersley, and Jacob Scott. I'm really looking forward to the up coming season, and feel very fortunate to be able to use the kit provided by the numerous sponsors. www.teamsportscover.com Here is a quick video of the team, http://youtu.be/BGRYK6MlYAM

My first race will be the Trader's Cup in Dundalk on Feburary 24th, following the next Irish Junior Development Squad camp. The first race with the whole team will be the Eddie Soens the following week. The next big event will be the first round of the Junior National Series in Abergavenny, Cadence. I was 5th here last year and I'm looking to improve on last year's result. 

A bit about me; I was born in Dublin and grew up in Lucan. I now live in Richmond North Yorkshire and I am studying Chemistry, Biology, Maths, Further Maths at college. I started cycling around two and a half years ago and raced my first complete season last year (2012). I have had some success in my 2 years racing, 2nd in the Irish National U16 Road Race Champs, top 5 on two occasions in National Junior Series rounds, top 10 on 3 occasions in NJS rounds, Regional Criterium Champion 2012, top 10s in Holland/Belgium, and a few wins last season. I was also 6th in the National Junior Road Race Champs 2012. 

Thanks to all of the sponsors for providing me with the opportunities for the coming season and everyone at Team Sportscover.

That's a bit about me, thanks for reading. 

James

@JamesJosephKing