DHL Sprint School

Sprint School Rider of the Month - September

Melissa Bury
DHL Sprint School
Age: 14
Track League: Manchester ACT, I start Friday Night Track League for the first time October 11th.
Bike: Dolan

How long have you been riding and why did you start?
I started riding at my local Triathlon club when I was 10 years old because my dad persuaded me to have a go…..I started doing full triathlons and found that I really enjoyed the cycling and was able to catch people up after I had fallen behind them in the first triathlon discipline, swimming. I joined Eastlands Velo who are based at Manchester velodrome as it was the best place to cycle safely and quickly.

Let’s talk Sprint School – how many have you been selected for?
I haven’t actually been to any this year, but I was very lucky to be invited to all 4 sessions last year.

Have you enjoyed them? What's been your highlight?
Last year was great; I really enjoyed meeting the stars and also the chance to have a really good time with all my cycling friends. On the track I enjoyed Sumo and the Keirins (the ones where you moved up and down the groups depending how you did in the race).

You were did fantastically well in the Roller Race comp at the Nocturne, setting an unofficial UK record! Do you think your sessions at Sprint School helped you?
I think so and I think having the stars around is quite inspiring and gives you the motivation to think I wonder if I can do that?

And your favorite cyclist? And why?
I haven’t really got a favorite one because being involved at sprint school and also at Manchester Velodrome I have been really lucky to meet most of our great cyclists and what inspires me the most is that they are really normal and approachable and always have time for me and my friends. I’m not sure that would be the same in other sports.

What are your plans for the rest of the 2008 season?
I’ve very much concentrated on circuit racing this year and I have had some good results which I’ve been pleased with for the winter I’m going to enjoy the social side of riding my bike rather than racing all the time (apart from Friday night track league and getting very muddy at cyclo cross again….).

And finally, what else do you do in your spare time?
Spare time now there’s something I haven’t got enough of! I do cross country running for my school and hope to be selected for my town team again this year. I love shopping with my friends in Manchester (need to get more race winnings for this though). I still go to Triathlon club on a Monday as well.

 

We'll be featuring one new rider each month. If you'd like to be the Sprint School rider of the month, send an email to info@sprintschool.com, answering the questions above (and anything else you'd like to add) and attach a picture of yourself too.