Training makeover

Cat-two rider Simon Hill gets assistance from Olympian Jonny Bellis

Highly motivated cat-two racer Simon Hill has a busy work life as head of sales for a software company based in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

After he stopped playing rugby in 2015, Hill saw his weight creep up to 100kg. Cycling has helped get him back in shape. Hill says he likes the way racing is unforgiving and puts him in a “sink or swim situation”.

With the help of former world champ and coach Jonny Bellis, the 43-year-old wants to use his competitive drive to step things up next season. CW: What do you most want to improve in your cycling? The ability to suffer via time trialling and having the guts to attack and keep attacking in races. I want to see what I am actually capable of. I feel I am seriously lacking in self-belief and am scared of the consequences [of hard effort].

CW: What are your motivations? To be the best that I can possibly be. Giving my little boy Henry my medals makes his day.i’d also like to go below 21 minutes for a 10-mile time trial. I’ll say this very, very quietly, but maybe I’ll do a 25-mile TT. I would like to play an active part in the LVRC Percy Stallard series next year, too.

CW: What are the barriers preventing you from training as well as you’d like? My partner — she gives me constant grief about my ‘addiction’. Apart from that, the only barrier in terms of quality and quantity is me.

CW: Have you had any setbacks? I had a bad Achilles injury this season, which meant a month off. Since coming back, I’ve struggled for motivation, as I rediscovered my love of cake and Guinness. However, I did get a sixth place in an LVRC race.

CW: What are your strengths in training? I like training, I love pain. I always do as I am told and don’t cut corners — unless it means avoiding a hill!

CW: And any weaknesses? I always find an excuse to avoid hills. Often I feel I’m not as good or as strong as other guys, so I don’t push myself hard enough.