Peter Hawkins is back racing again and aiming for a strong end of season after crashing out of the An Post Rás in May with the yellow jersey on his back.
One of the biggest days on the UK cycling calendar takes place this Sunday with the inaugural Prudential Ride London-Surrey Classic and Irishman Peter Hawkins is eager to get stuck in having recovered from the broken collar bone he suffered while leading the An Post Rás in May.
Hawkins (28) has ridden four Premier Calendar races in the last few weeks and though he suffered through the first few, he said he’s feeling a lot better now and last Sunday in Ryedale, he finished a creditable 19th.
“My form seems to be returning at last, the body’s improving all the time and I’m looking forward to Sunday. It’s a big goal for the team to do well,” he said.
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Sunday’s race sees many of the world’s top riders come to London for the event but Hawkins is unfazed by them, and on roads he knows so well, he has every right to be confident.
"The route looks like a pretty regular training ride for me. I'm really looking forward to it. Knowing the roads will help be a bit of extra motivation, racing on what's now pretty much home territory. I know the roads fairly well already, but it's good to keep them fresh in my mind."
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The Belfast man, who will target the Tour of Britain next month, is well aware how important an event like Ride London is to the team.
"I've been looking forward to it all year, we don't get to do that many races of that calibre - especially IG being based in London; we basically go past the Sigma shop."
"I'd probably put the race on a par with the Tour of Britain and in terms of exposure for the team, we don't do many races that are live on BBC."
And as for how the race will go for Hawkins and the team, he has a rough idea: "Getting someone in the break will be a big deal. It's kind of how I rode the Tour of Britain last year - I'll try and get in the break and if I don't I'll wait and I'll sprint," he said.
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