Joe Connell

Read on to find out more on Joe and his Cycling career:

Q How did you first become involved in your sport? I’ve always ridden bikes from a young age but my dad took me to Glentress one time when I was about 12 and we also went to the Fort William World Cup the same year which hooked me into the sport.

Q How old were you when you started and what is your first memory of your sport? When I was about two and half years old I can remember riding down this hill with my stabilizers off for the first time in Tentsmuir forest with my mum and dad! Ever since then…

Q When and where did you first compete? How did you get on? When I was about 12 I did a SXC race at Laggan Wolftrax where I came second.

Q When did you first realize you had the potential to make it as an athlete? Well, when I was younger I used to ride with guys a lot older than me and I would ride things that most of them wouldn’t so I knew I had it in me to compete well with people my own age.

Q Did you ever play any other sport? If so, what made you change to your current sport? Yeah I used to play ice hockey, roller hockey, football and skateboarding but the cycling has always been what I was best at and when I started racing I dropped the football and stuff to concentrate on riding my bike and to avoid injury.

Q Have any family members played a sport at a high level? Well, my Mum captained Scotland at Korfball, which is a bit like netball mixed with basketball, so I guess that’s pretty good.

Q What are your best results so far (please list any records held)? 2nd Scottish champs, 2nd overall then 3rd at my first ever NPS race at in the youth category.

Q What has been the highlight of your career? Being selected to be on the Scottish Talent Team. I rode at the trials on the Sunday and on Monday night Chris Ball phoned me and told me I was in. Brilliant feeling.

Q What has been your favorite competition venue to date and why? Aberfeldy is my favourite race venue that I have raced so far because the track was really steep, rocky, dusty and quite short, the perfect track!

Q What is on your competition schedule this year? All the NPS and SDA races as well as the Scottish and national champs.

Q What is a typical training regime for a ‘normal’ week? Monday- rest / Tuesday- core and sprints / Wednesday- 2hr xc ride / Thursday - core and sprints / Friday- rest / Saturday- downhill practice or cross country / Sunday- downhill practice or cross country.

Q What has been your best sporting experiences so far? Every race so far. Podium finishes are always special and I guess getting on the podium in my first year in youth was great.

Q And the one you would rather forget? Crashing at Dunkeld and slicing my face on a bolt on my handlebars!

Q Do you have any pre-event superstitions or rituals? No, I just completely block out thinking about the race before it. I just make sure I’m well prepared.

Q Do you feel you/your sport gets the exposure and credit it merits? No way because it’s never really on T.V or anything so many people don’t see how challenging and good our sport is.

Q How many hours do spend training each day? In the week its about a couple of hours a days but at the weekend it takes up most of the day.

Q How does training fit in with your other commitments (studies/work)? Well I do a paper round every week-day morning on a bike to pay off my new bike and I’m in third year so there is not really too much studying after school, however next year will be different.

Q What do you see as the key area to concentrate on for you to improving as an
athlete? Pedaling power.

Q Technique or physical - which do you spend most time working on to improve?Well weekdays it physical but on weekends it technique so I guess its about the same because I ride for longer on the weekend.

Q What support do you get in training (national governing body programme, family, coach, sponsorship etc)? My coach Chris Ball gives me all my training although I mostly train on my own. My parents are very supportive of me and Alpine Bikes have been great by sponsoring me with free Fox kit and a really good deal on my Trek Session 88.

Q How long have you been supported by TFIS and how do we help? I have only been supported since the start of year.  TFIS provide me with a physio and lifestyle coach as well as other services that I haven’t used yet.

Q Which service/services provided by the TFIS have you made the most use of and how has it helped you? TFIS supplied me with Bernie Lee who is a physio based in Cupar. Bernie gives me good exercises to strengthen my weaknesses.

Q Do you think the support offered by your coach(s) and TFIS gives you a performance edge? If so, why? Yes I think it helps to make me act more professionally and to iron out all the little weaknesses that I have.

Q Which athlete, past or present, do you admire? And why? Sam Hill for his raw talent and being able to do well on flat pedals against riders who are on clipless pedals.

Q Are there other sporting figures you look up to? And why? Chris Hoy for his dedication to be the best at track cycling.

Q Who has/have had the biggest influence on you as an athlete? And why? My dad has always helped and guide me but I see a lot of techniques and styles from the top riders of my sport. The rest of the riders in the SDA are a great bunch of guys and everyone is really generous with their advice and help. It makes a big difference being able to sit in an uplift truck and talk to top riders about the track and lines.

Q Which other young Scottish athletes in your sport should we be looking out for?George Gannicot and Sam Herd will soon be soon be right up there in the British racing scene.

Q What's the best piece of advice you have been given? Ride your own race and not others.

Q Where do you get your inspiration and motivation from? Other racers at my level and the very top pros.

Q Could you make a career out of your sport or can you combine it with another
profession? If I work hard enough I think I can make a career out of cycling full time.

Q What is your ultimate ambition? To be the best rider in the World Cup circuit.

Q Do you have to make any sacrifices to be the best that you can be in your sport? If so, what are they and why do you make them? If I want to be the best then I’ve got to train hard every day and if this will further me towards being the best then I will go through what I have to.