Cyclist: Crashing at 60kmh into the Arenberg Forest in Paris-Roubaix isn’t fun. How have you been since then?
Fred Wright: I think I can count myself quite lucky it was just concussion. The damage that crash did to a lot of the other riders was much worse. I spent a week recovering, very bored at home in bed. I didn’t even want to look at screens – it was a case of just resting my head. I still had mild symptoms six days later. Now, happy days, I’m completely back to normal.
I’m grateful the concussion protocols are what they are – a couple of years ago I’d have been put into the Amstel Gold Race and that would have messed up the rest of the year. That crash is not what I want to happen in my next crack at Roubaix, but there’s plenty more chances to go for it.
Cyc: What is the performance you’re happiest about so far in your career?
FW: Probably the 2022 Tour of Flanders. The Tour and Vuelta went really well but I took a lot of confidence from that seventh place [at Flanders]. That was maybe the point where I realised I can definitely be there in the biggest races.
Cyc: You’ve talked before about feeling impostor syndrome. Is that going away? You need a bit of ego to be up there.
This story is from the Summer 2023 - 141 edition of Cyclist UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the Summer 2023 - 141 edition of Cyclist UK.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 8,500+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
The Mur de Montrose
Anondescript city centre shortcut to the shops is destined to become a classic climb when the superstars of the peloton ride it next month
Ventum NS1
Aracy road bike with more character than its looks suggest
Colnago C68 Road
The flagship has been refitted, but it's still very Colnago
Susten Pass
The supersized Swiss climb
What we ride
Behind every cycling journalist is a long history of bikes. Some come and go-test bikes, first bikes, stolen bikes, I'm going to get into BMX-ing now bikes - but some stay, for their practicality, their dreaminess or just for the joy they elicit. Here are three of the Cyclist team's personal favourites
EVERYTHING EVERYWHERE
Over the past 12 years, Italian racer Elisa Longo Borghini has established herself as one of cycling's great all-rounders. She tells Cyclist about her sporting upbringing, how she conquered her self-doubts, and how she hates coming second
New view on Ventoux
It's possibly the most famous climb in cycling, but Mont Ventoux still has some surprises in store, including this route that takes in the stunning and rarely visited Les Gorges de la Nesque
All in the mind
The mental aspect of cycling can be just as important as the physical. Cyclist talks to two experts about training the brain for when the going gets tough
A moment in time Nicole Cooke tames Ventoux
In 2006, Britain's Nicole Cooke demonstrated her absolute dominance in a bravura performance on the Giant of Provence
Veni, vidi, Vinge?
Felix Lowe makes his predictions for the Tour de France
