Be inspired by our famous Norfolk cyclists... Brief biography and list of achievements: Born 03.10.1982 London Moved to Norwich aged 4 1989-1999: Attended Norwich High School 1999-2001: Attended Norwich School sixth form First sports rowing and cross-country running 2001-2005: Studied Engineering at University of Cambridge 2005-present: Employed at ETH Zürich (Switzerland) for a PhD in Geotechnical Engineering Cycling achievements: 1st Trofeo Alfredo Binda world cup (ITA) 2008 1st Tour de Bretagne (FRA) 2008 Silver medal road time trial Beijing Olympics 1st Montreal world cup (CAN) 2009 1st Grande Boucle (FRA) 2009 1st GP de Plouay-Bretagne world cup (FRA) 2009 Great Britain national champion road time trial 2009 1st Flèche Wallonne Feminine world cup 2010 1st GP de Suisse time trial 2010 1st GP Elsy Jacobs 2010 1st Tour de l’Aude Feminine 2010 1st World Champion Women’s Time Trial 2010 1st Trofeo Alfredo Binda-Comune di Cittiglio 2011
Emma Pooley World Champion Women’s Time Trial How did you get started in cycling? I had a running injury in 2003 and started cycling to cross-train while I was recovering. That gave me the idea to have a go at triathlon. Gradually I realised I was better at cycling than either swimming or running, so in 2005 I started doing cycling races too. What kind of cycling do you do now? Now I compete at road racing (mass start races) and road time trials (where you start one-by-one and ride against the clock). But I also do some mountain biking for fun! What do you most enjoy about cycling and why? I love being out in the countryside: the views, the freedom, the quiet. Especially in the mountains! I love the real feeling of speed you get with the wind blowing in your face. And the fact that you can cover such large distances and really go somewhere - but still see and sense things that you’d miss if cooped up and whizzing past in a car. What achievement are you most proud of? Getting a medal at the Beijing Olympics was one of the proudest moments of my life. And the first world cup I won in Italy in 2008- because it was such a surprise! Can you describe your bike, what is special about it? It’s a brand called Cervélo (that’s the sponsor of the professional team I ride for). The frame is made from carbon fibre so that it’s as light as possible whilst also being stiff so that you don’t lose any power in the frame flexing when you pedal. It’s also very aerodynamic, as are the wheels. How do you train? I do a mixture of long training rides (4-6 hours) and shorter training sessions involving intervals and sprints on both the flat and on hills. I also practise descending fast on mountain passes. When possible I like to go out training with groups of friends - we race each other on the hills and sometimes stop for coffee when we’re nearly home. It’s important to enjoy training and if it’s sociable that helps! In the winter when it’s very cold I find it hard to do long rides so I also run and ski as cross-training. What are your cycling plans for the future and what are your targets? If I can keep racing professionally until 2012 it would be fantastic to have the chance to compete in the London Olympics.
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