We’re counting down to Christmas with 12 of our favourite UK pro riders.
Does Manon like sprouts? Does Ratboy love a roast? Does Peaty get presents? Tune in to find out!
First out of the gate is SPS Syndicate’s Becci Skelton.
Becci Skelton hails from Sheffield, rides for the Big Man on his SPS Syndicate team, and 2016 was her first year racing on the World stage. Here’s to 2017!
2016 is almost at an end. Was it a good year for you?
It’s been grand! It was me first year in Elites and World Cups so was always going to be an eye opening old year I reckon. A few broken bones at the start of the season didn’t help and really I’ve struggled to put race runs together. Not sure if it’s nerves or what but they certainly haven’t reflected my riding. So It’s deffo been a learning curve but I’ve loved every second of it (even sliding down Lourdes on my face).
With off-season in full effect, have you been relaxing or smashing out the intervals?
I’m not really one for relaxing in the usual manner. I’m either working, training, drunk or asleep.
Favourite ride/race from this season and why?
We’ve just had our SPS end of season ride at Revs, that was pretty sick. Everyone was chilled and riding well, and to top it off, I got chauffeured around by Peaty whilst getting drunk (me, not him).
Worst race/ride and why?
I went out in Wharny the other month, just a quick blast on usual crags route. It rained, front wheel washed on a greasy rock, hit a tree, smashed my knee, got a slug in my shoe, got a puncture and temporarily lost my house key. That sucked. National Champs at Revs didn’t go to plan neither; I may have had a few Jaegerbombs forced down me and in seeding crashed and banged me noggin up pretty hard. That was no fun. Don’t drink and ride kids.
What was the last ride/race where you finished running on fumes?
I always give everything in a race, even if it doesn’t work out, I’m a bloody grafter so most races and rides, I’m spent after. But Andorra fully finished me off, it was so steep and loose, just sapped the energy out of you! I had no idea if my arms were still attached at the end of that race.
3 top tunes of your year?
Maaaan, I love music. Ok, so gotta be:
What are you most looking forward to in 2017?
Just getting stuck into racing again. I’m hoping I can take the experience of some bad race runs, figure out what cocked up, turning it around and cracking on.
What’s on your Christmas list?
Oooo maybe Santa Peaty might bring me a nice little Bronson?? Failing that…world peace, a donkey and some new socks would be grand.
Will you be eating sprouts with your Christmas dinner?
Dam straight, I eat those little bundles of joy all year round.
What will your New Year’s Resolution be?
Get off the brakes.
What’s your number one stand out moment from this year?
Gotta be Andorra World Cup, that track was wild. So much fun.
Name one rider to keep a keen eye on for 2017.
There’s lots of fast whipper-snappers coming through at the moment, I think Aston Tutt is one to watch. I reckon my partner in crime Lucy Drees is gonna be a snake in the grass too.
