David Lloyd racing in British Time Trial
David Lloyd began racing at the end of 1969 after taking up the bike to stop a 40 cigarettes a day habit he had at that time Three years later in 1972, David had finished 7th in the Milk Race – one of the top amateur races of the time! Since retiring from his long and distinguished racing career, David has used his expertise and passion for cycling to start his own personal coaching services. – David Lloyd Coaching
> 1. What were your highlights in your long cycling career?
Really much too numerous to mention.. Probably being the “Best Pro of the Year” in 1974, winning the “William Tell” as an amateur which was the warm up stage race before the Olympics in Munich 1972 and all the Nations were there. Some of the Time Trials I did on my “come back” were very special too, but too many to list here..Probably putting 7 minutes into Laurent Fignon in the Isle of Man Mountain TT was a highlight!!. See: Palmeres here
> 2. Did you enjoy life as a young cyclist riding on the Continent – Or was it less glamorous than we may imagine?
A lot less glamorous than anyone would imagine.. Just gut wrenching hard work most of the time… Also the fact that the drug scene was something I really hated and was rife and lots of pressure for me to partake , which I adamantly refused to do, which didn’t go down well…. 5 of my teamates are dead now though.. All before reaching 50 years of age…Draw your own conclusions on that one.. But, glamorous… NO !
Having said that, I loved the racing , and wouldn’t have done anything differently…
> 3. As an amateur and a pro, you raced in many different disciples from track to stage racing and time trials. Was there any particular discipline you preferred?
Definitely Stage Racing… I loved it and could actually do it really well.. I don’t think I ever did a bad stage race…
> 4. Which Cyclist or cyclists do you admire Most?
Fabian Cancellara…… Just the best bike rider I have ever seen !!! (That includes Eddy Merckx .. That may seem perverse as Merckx was everyones rider of all time.. BUT, was he clean… ????? ( I RODE WITH HIM !!)
> 5. Do you ever look at the current set up and success of British Cycling and think – if only we had a National Lottery back in the 1970s?
Indeed I do. We worked an a shoe string. When I won the William Tell we were really strapped for cash. We used to raid the food wagon before the start of each stage to supplement the meagre breakfasts. We had no money at all…
> 6. Since retiring from racing, you have become a well respected coach. What do you think are the most important principles with regard to cycle training?
MENTORING YOUR ATHLETES…. Anyone can prescribe training, very few can be good “mentors!”
> 7. Is winter training simply a matter of getting the miles in?
NO!! Very far from it… The winter is the most important time of the year.. Ask my athletes!
Thanks to David for taking the time to answer our questions.
Related
- David Lloyd Challenge – cyclo sportive
- Flavio Zappi Interview
- Classic Time Trial Photos
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