Team Wiggle 2009 Highlights: Matthew Page
End of Season Lowdown with Team Wiggle
Our Team Wiggle athletes have had a cracking year, standing atop rostrums the world over in road racing, mountain biking and triathlon. Before they put their feet up for the festive break, we caught up with them all as they reflect on 2009 and look ahead to 2010. Pro mountain biker Matt Page had a dream year, winning his target race and proposing to his girlfriend on the finish line…
Q. Looking back on your 2009 season, are you pleased with how it went?
A. My major goal was to win Mountain Mayhem, so having won that race I am really happy with the season as a whole. I had a few disappointing races where I had niggling injuries or illness, but equally I won events that I didn’t even plan to enter which was a nice bonus.
Q. What was the highlight of your year?
A. Without a doubt, crossing the finishing line at Mountain Mayhem to win the event and propose to Nia.
Q. What was the funniest moment of your season?
Perhaps beating Steve Peat (Downhill World Champion) in a downhill race (of sorts) at BikeRadar LIVE. It bagged me a nice prize, part of which is a weekend riding with the man himself, scheduled for January.
Q. What was the most important lesson you learnt?
A. Not to put everything into a single event. Having won Mayhem in June, I struggled at times afterwards as I had already hit my season goals.
Q. What are your plans for winter training? How’s it going so far?
I always struggle through the winter and this year has been no different with some big ups and downs, but the past few weeks have been excellent and I have started racing cyclo-cross and have even won a round of the Welsh CX series.
Q. What does 2010 have in store for you? What are your major races going to be?
A. Next year I take my racing overseas for the first time in an attempt to take on the best riders in the world. My major races will be the 24hr UK Solo Championships in May and the 24hr Solo World Championships to be held in Canberra, Australia, in October. I will also be doing a number of UK marathon events including the Enduro 6, British Marathon Championships and the Kielder 100 mile.
Matt says:
“Both of these photos are from Mayhem. One reminds me of the pain while going up the dreaded “Kenda Climb”. It was taken at some point during the Sunday morning so the pain on my face is very real, having completed 20+ laps. The second picture was taken as I crossed the finish line in tears, half pain/half elation about winning and the thought of proposing!”