Pro-life under Lockdown
Words by Andy Thornley
Bahrain McLaren’s Fred Wright gives us the lowdown on the lockdown
The former Liverpool Football Manager, Bill Shankly, once said: “Some people think football is a matter of life and death. I don't like that attitude. I can assure them it is much more serious than that.”
Shankly was of course wrong and sport rightly plays second fiddle to more important issues at times like these. But as people around the world struggle with the mental aspects of lockdown, sport and exercise can be a great release when the walls seem to be drawing ever closer.
How have pro cyclists been dealing with this? Simpson spoke to Bahrain McLaren’s Fred Wright, in what was supposed to be his breakthrough first season on the World Tour.
Wright has already featured in several races this year with the distinctive red, orange and black jersey on his shoulders; The Saudi Tour, Omloop Het Nieuwsblad and Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne. But following a promising start, it must be a huge source of frustration for that progression to be stunted.
“It is quite frustrating, but at the same time what’s quite good is those two races in Belgium are the sort of races I wanted to do well in later on in my career. Having done them and done well in them, you get a sense of what level you’ve got to be at. So, going in to this period, I’m almost like ‘right, I really do have to stay on it and keep training’ because those races are really tough and if I want to be able to do well in them, I’ve got to stay on it.
He was as just as sanguine when comparing his situation to that of colleagues in his team.
“It is frustrating at the start of your career, but there’s older guys in the team who are trying to win these bike races and they’re not getting that opportunity. You’ve got to feel for them because it will be harder for them.”
One such rider in the team is Mark Cavendish, who revealed in an Instagram hangout with Brad Wiggins recently that he’s only on a year contract at Bahrain McLaren, although whilst frustrated, the Manx-man seems to philosophical about the situation and is enjoying the opportunity to spend precious time with his family.
“The team are really supportive and we’re in touch with the them pretty regularly to get us through this.” Wright adds.
Training in the lockdown
Wright’s household must be one of the most talented in the world of cycling; he lives with Ethan Hayter (Team Ineos and is a former Team Pursuit World Champion) and Matt Walls (Trinity Racing and GB UCI World Cup winner in the Omnium). During the lockdown, they have been out on training rides in the Peak district which is conveniently on the doorstep. However, Wright admits they’ve had some people who are assuming they are breaking social distancing rules by riding together, despite the fact they are permitted.
“We’ve not had any abuse other from that you normally get. Although, there was a lorry driver who was shouting at me and Ethan and we were like, ‘oh no, we live together’ and we ended up having a bit of a laugh with him, so it’s not been too hostile.”
In order to head off any further aggression on the road, revealed recently he took to pinning a sign on his back to advise they lived together.
“That was my dad’s idea” he said.
“I’ve recently also got a mountain bike, so I’ve been mixing up the training a bit. Through the team, we get quite a lot of communication and hearing about the guys in Italy and Spain who aren’t allowed out and are trapped, stuck inside on the turbo. Compared to them, I think I’m actually doing alright because we can still train outdoors.”
Wright has also been using the indoor trainer in his garage for both training and e-racing ; competing in the Giro D’Italia Virtual against other World Tour teams and riders such as Elia Viviani. He has carried the good form from the Classics through to these races, bagging a win in stage 4; over two minutes ahead of second placed Gorka Izagirre, a result he described as “unexpected”.
Chance to shine?
The UCI plans a packed programme for when lockdown measures across Europe are relaxed. The season would essentially start in September with all three Grand Tours, World Championships and Monuments taking place within a just a few months – something which would almost certainly see teams rotating more riders than would have been originally anticipated. Does this mean that Wright might get chances in much higher profile races than previously?
“I think it all depends on what the calendar looks like. It might end up that there’s not that many races put on so it’s just the Tour and a few others, so I won’t get many rides.
“But if the UCI do pull through this period and put on lots of races, then I might just end up doing some things that I might not have expected to have done.
Wright’s potential opportunities are offset with concern as to the financial state of cycle-racing however.
“It’s a bit worrying though that as a sport, we have to rush and fit these races in. It’s not a great sign for the position cycling is in that we absolutely have to have these races at the end of the season having gone through this crisis, from a funding perspective.”
New team
After joining CCC as a stagiere last season, Wright earned the right to be signed up to a team at the top of world cycling. What’s it been like to join the team?
“It’s great to be honest. Turning up to the first proper training camp in Altea in Calpe when everyone was there, that was like ‘I really am part of a talented bunch of riders’ now.
“The older riders like Cav and Heinrich Haussler that I’ve shared a room with have been great and I’ve had the piss taken out of me.”
The team is chock-full of talent wherever you look; from Mark Cavendish and Sonni Colbrelli to Wout Poels and Mikel Landa. But who is the biggest personality in the squad?
“That’s a difficult one. I spent quite a lot of time with Marcel Sieberg, he’s always up for a laugh, he’s quite funny. Also, Wout [Poels] is quite funny too. There was a good morale on that January camp; it was really nice to be a part of.”
But it’s not just the banter that Wright has picked up from his new team mates.
“Heinrich really knows the Classics from many years of experience so little things he does, I try and copy him, like tyre pressure, tyre choice or whatever.”
Future on track?
Wright learnt his craft at the historic Herne Hill Velodrome, where his dad, Phil, still commentates for the crowd at Track League and Open Season races. Wright, with housemates Hayter and Walls, have performed well together on the track with the Olympics having won a whole host of British, European and Rainbow jerseys between them. With the Olympics being delayed by a year due to the lockdown, is the track still an option for Wright?
“That ship has already sailed for me. I’ve switched to the road now, so the Olympics is not something that is going to happen for me now. I still want to do track, but it won’t be at the next Olympics. It will be a good training tool in the winter though, I’ll try to do some Six Days and stuff.”
Six Day London was where we first met Wright back in 2018 and it’s clear it provides enjoyment for the 20 year old rider.
“Six Day London was good fun to be honest. I also want to do a Six Day like Gent. London’s great but you can’t really say you’ve done a Six Day until you’ve done Gent to be honest! It’s just the way the crowd are in the centre, full of drunk Belgians. I’d love to do it one day. Maybe even this winter, who knows?”