Tom Couzens

What Disciplines do you ride?

My first ever race was a cyclocross race and I have to say, still to this day its probably my favourite discpline. The challenge of each courses provide as well as the noise of the fans makes it a proper crazy sport and I love that adrenaline you get racing through the mud and on the off cambers. I think that's why I love crit racing so much as that replicates the on/off efforts and technical corners much like in cyclocross, it's just that feeling of racing full gas for an hour I love so much. I am also looking forward to getting involved in some mountain bike racing as well as some gravel events this summer.

Where is your favourite place to ride?

What I love about cycling is the ability to explore new places, I hate pre planning routes and much prefer going out and seeing where I fancy going as the ride goes on. So I think the answer may quite possibly be anywhere new, I spent 10 days out in Calpe a few years ago which was home to some amazing quiet roads which would probably have to take top spot if I was to choose. But the North of Italy around Lake Como certainly gives it a run for its money, the views there are breath taking and I highly encourage anyone to visit. Girona and the North Coast 500 around Scotland are two more places I would like to explore one day.

Tell me about yourself?

I am a 20 year old cyclist currently living in Yorkshire where I am doing an apprenticeship alongside my cycling. After I finished my A levels Covid struck and so it gave me the opportunity to train and race full time, I was even lucky enough to move out to Italy in the summer of 2020 to race for the Zappi Racing team racing in many Italian national level races and UCI one day races which was incredible. I also love cyclocross with some pretty good success in the past, including being selected to represent Great Britain at the European Championships and finishing 6th in the elite race at this years National Championships. I find the crit races and tour series suit me very well thanks to my cross background and I cant wait to get stuck into them this summer.

What are your aspirations in cycling?

Become World Champion, I can't even think to imagine how good it must feel to pull on that iconic jersey and have the honour of representing it for the next year. That for sure must be aspiration for most cyclists out there.

What are your biggest achievements?

Winning the Monmouthshire GP national road race as a junior has to be one of my greatest achievements, everything just went to perfection that day and I went on to get a pretty memorable solo win. Being selected to represent Great Britain at the 2020/21 European Cyclocross championships has to be my second greatest moment in my cycling career, pulling on that white GB skinsuit for the first time was pretty special.

You can follow and see what Tom is up to via his social links:

Instagram - @Tom_couzens_

Twitter - @Tom_Couzens