Sean Yates
The Tour de France winner launches the LeBlanq cycling and cuisine sportive with Sir Bradley Wiggins and chef Raymond Blanc this September. Here’s how he’s been preparing…
WIGHT TIME
“I’m riding LeBlanq on the Isle of Wight for the first time since I won the Classic there in 1984 – I broke the record for the time trial around the island in 1983 – but this time I’m there for a combination of great food, cycling and having fun. Not every cyclist wants to race the whole time, this is all about riding and eating for pleasure, which many of us have done during lockdown!”
SPANISH WEIGHTIER
“I’ve been in Spain, near Benicàssim for a couple of years and still ride regularly to keep my weight down. I have AV (Atrioventricular canal defect), a heart condition that means I need to watch my weight. Cycling does help with that.”
TAKE IT EASY
“The AV has restricted what I can do in terms of my power output on the bike. I also had an issue with my pacemaker, which meant I couldn’t do the climbs I like to do with my son – so I switched to a Ribble Endurance e-bike. It enables me to still do what I love and keep up with him. I don’t like to whinge, but without the e-bike it would have been too uncomfortable for me to ride.”
LEAD BY EXAMPLE
“I’ve always had a ‘no surrender’ approach to cycling. I’m fitter now and I’m back on my bike. I ride early in the mornings, before the sun gets too hot, and I’ve learnt to plot my cycling course via the villages where there are water fountains that I can fill up with – it’s a wonderful area to ride in.”
SET TARGETS
“I’m also coaching and I tell my clients to be the best they can be within their circumstances. Some have long work hours or family demands, I have a heart condition but I still aim to be the best. I find setting goals is the secret to success. I’ve set myself a target of a 25-mile time trial before the LeBlanq ride. For me these goals to aim for are a great motivation.”
The Legendary Joyriding LeBlanq weekend curated and created with cycling icon Sean Yates takes place Sept 25-27 – for a place on the guest list: leblanq.com