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Matthew Page Profile
- By Jason|
- 27 Feb 2008 10:25:41 UTC|
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Matthew Page
DOB:
02/08/1984
Location:
Llandovery, Wales.
About me:
I’ve always had a love of sport and in particular riding bikes, but although I always owned a bike I didn’t start cycling seriously until I bought my first proper Mountain Bike, aged 16. For several years it was just a hobby, entering the occasional MTB Marathon, where just completing the course was a challenge for me. It was in 2005 that I started racing, back then I concentrated mainly on XC and the shorter endurance races, reaching Expert level in XC racing.
In March 2006 I had the opportunity to move from my hometown of Llandovery to Cardiff and began working as a cycle courier. It was a job I really loved and it changed my life completely; riding an average of 100 miles a day for four days a week does wonders for the endurance, and as a direct consequence I started doing well at the longer events. 2006 saw me entering my first 24 hour solo and I loved it! I entered another just two months later, and this saw me get to the podium! 2007 was a real breakthrough for me, winning ‘Dusk ’til Dawn’ which was no doubt unexpected as I beat some big names including a pro rider from the USA.
In April 2008, after 2 years working as a cycle courier I decided to finish and concentrate on my racing career. Although I loved the job, the lack of structure, inability to control intensity and lack of rest & recovery meant that I was unlikely to improve much further if I continued working and racing. The structured training program that I devised for myself was a real success, combined with the fantastic support I received from Wiggle resulted in 2008 being even more successful, as I won one of the biggest 24hr solo events and the two biggest 12hr solo events in the UK. In 2009 I moved things up another notch and won the biggest solo event in the UK, Mountain Mayhem, the race that I have always dreamed of winning.
Outside of cycling I have a love of most motor sport, especially Formula 1. I live with my wife Nia, who is also my pit support for my solo races, our two naughty cats, Sooty and Sweep and Oscar the Beagle. Although my events are classed as solo, in reality I have a team behind me. Nia is in effect the pit manager and controls the general running and is in charge of my feeding and timing. Ben, a Wiggle mechanic attends all my major races to keep all my bikes in order. He is very experienced and knows exactly how I like all my bikes set up. The support my pit crew provide is extremely important and without them I would not have the results that I have today. I firmly believe they are the best pit crew for any solo racer, anywhere in the world.
Favourite race:
Dusk ’til Dawn holds some very special memories for me having won the solo event twice, but having won Mountain Mayhem in 2009 I would have to say that it holds the best memories. It is a massive event with a fantastic atmosphere, to win the event and propose to Nia on the finishing was a real dream come true.
Favourite training session:
I am very lucky to have some fantastic road and off-road routes around me, so choosing a favourite is really tough, but I’d say my favourite road session would include some roads around Llyn Brianne and over towards the Elan Valley. I have a 100 mile loop with a massive amount of climbing which is great fun to ride.
Off-road I love riding in Brechfa forest, which has some great man-made trails. I really does have everything needed to improve fitness and skills and I also have Cwm Rhaeadr on my doorstep and the Doethie Valley is just a stones throw away.
Sporting heroes:
Nick Craig and Tinker Juarez. Both are legends within Mountain Biking and both have evolved with the sport over the years whilst staying at the very top level.
2008 results:
1st – Sleepless in the Saddle, 24hr solo
1st – Dusk till Dawn, 12hr solo
1st – TwentyFour12, 12hr solo
2009 results:
1st – Bikeradar LIVE, 4hr solo
1st – Mountain Mayhem, 24hr solo
1st – Brechfa Enduro
Winner & Course record – MAXX Exposure night event
2010 results:
5th – Salisbury Winter Challenge, 50km
2nd – Mawddach Gold Rush, (3 lap results)
6th – Black Park XC, Expert/Elite
1st – Enduro 6 Solo Elite
3rd – Wasing – British XC Rd2
1st – Exposure 24hr UK Championships.
2010 Calender:
March 28th – Sherwood Pines, British XC Rd1
April 10/11th – Exposure Lights Big Night Out & Spring Marathon
April 19th – Single Speed European Champs
May 2nd – Enduro 6
May 9th – Wasing Estate – British XC Rd2
May 22nd – UK 24hr solo champs
June 6th – Verenti Dragon Ride
June 19/20th Mountain Mayhem
July 24/25th – Twentfour12
August 14th – Single Speed UK Champs
September 4th – Kielder 100
September 12th – British Marathon Champs
October 8th-10th – Solo World Champs
Matt is sponsored by Focus for all his bike needs and is currently riding:
Race Bike: Focus First Extreme 2010
Shoes:
In the shoe department Madision have sponsored Matt with:
Shimano M310 MTB Shoes.
Pedals:
In the Pedal department 2pure.co.uk have sponsored Matt with:
Crank Brothers Egg Beater SL’s
And Crank Brothers Short Spindle Upgrade
Tyres:
In the tyre department bob-elliot.co.uk have sponsored Matt with:
Schwalbe Nobby Nics
Schwalbe Racing Ralph
Lighting:
For the 12/24hr endurance races www.exposurelights.com have sponsored Matt with custom:
Exposure MaXx Daddy Lights
Nutrition:
To Keep Matt Fueled Up Harris-Active.co.uk have sponsored Matt with:
High5 Protein Recovery
Also Keeping Matt Fueled Up 2Pure.co.uk have sponsored Matt with:
Torq Gels with Guarana
And Clif Shot Bloks
Lambda Sports have Kindly assistied Matt with the following:ZYM Catapult Electrolyte Drink
Clothing & Other Equipment:
For training and racing Matt is also using:
2XU Compression Clothing Triathlonconsultants.com have sponsored Matt with:
2XU Compression Tights
Cleaning duties are looked after by muc-off.com They have sponsored Matt with:
Mobi Portable Pressure Washer
Matthew will also be using the following:
Helmet:
In the Helmet department Chicken Cycle-kit have sponsored Matt Page With: Las Victory Helmets
dhb Finchdean Long Sleeve Jersey
dhb Amberley Waterproof Gloves
Photos:
