Former Irish junior international and now first-year U23 rider, Jack Sadler getting acquainted with life as a pro while racing a series of criteriums in Australia in the past week.
By Brian Canty
Ireland’s Jack Sadler said he is “loving every second” of his time as a continental professional with his new Rapha Condor-JLT team, despite the steep learning curve involved.
The three-time Junior Tour of Ireland stage winner and Irish junior international track rider is currently in South Australia with his UK-based team. And having just completed the Bay Crit series in Geelong near Melbourne – his first races as a pro and out of the junior ranks - he said he’s excited about what the season ahead has in store.
“I’m loving every second of it out here,” he told stickybottle from the team’s base in Bendigo today.
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“It’s been a fantastic learning experience, training out here with my new teammates, getting to know them all.”
Sadler said he felt he was also benefiting from being around some of the riders who were once with Rapha but have since departed, including Zak Dempster (NetApp-Endura) and Darren Lapthorne (Drapac).
Dempster was one of the main animators of the Mitchelton Bay Classic series that some of Sadler’s team mates have just concluded.
Fellow Irish international and team mate, Felix English scored three top 10 finishes in the four-race pro series, including coming 2nd to Dempster in the opening event. And he also won the sprints classification.
While English was leading the charge in the pro series, 18-year-old Sadler and team mates Ed Laverack, Elliott Porter and Luke Mellor were riding the support events. They won the team classification and Laverack won the series outright.
The team will now remain in Bendigo – around 100km north of Melbourne – for another month as part of their extended racing and training trip to escape the European winter.
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Sadler, the youngest member of the squad, said while he does miss home a little, the team have been superb in making him feel welcomed into his new environment.
“Being the youngest, it is a bit like being the apprentice of the team. But they don’t treat you any differently than any other teammate. I’m really looking forward to the year ahead with all of them.”
Though he was one of the most formidable juniors in the Irish set-up last year, he’s well aware of the step up he is trying to make into the life of a professional.
“The crits were a bit of an eye opener in a way, mainly because it is a step up for me this year from the junior ranks. It was also the first race of the season and the effort is a bit of a shock to the system; making full gas efforts repeatedly.
“The biggest thing I’ve learnt from my coach Ken Matheson and manager John Herety is not to panic when approaching the racing season and listen to your coach. It’s a long season and the form will come.
“Overall I’m happy enough with my form. I’m glad I haven’t come out all guns blazing into the first race of the year. It is a long season and I don’t want to overdo it.
“But at the same time, I’m not quite where I wanted to be but it’s still only January and I will progress as the season goes on.
“I am learning so much with my diet as well, picking up tips from all my teammates and staff. It’s quite simple really, but it’s extremely important to watch what you eat but not cut down the portions.”
He will return home next month and won’t have much time to rest as the season kicks off soon after.
“I’m looking forward to getting back home. I have quite a lot to look forward to when we land in February. Things like new bikes, new clothing, the team launch and starting the UK season.
“But also I’m looking forward to seeing my family and my girlfriend and spending some time with them when I get home. I’m learning so much from everyone around me. I can’t wait to start the European season with some solid training under my belt.”
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