{"id":11463,"title":"Alderney Baker - Cycling's in Her Blood","description":"Meet Alderney Baker, the U23 cyclocross and road rider who's aiming high.","content":"

Published in<\/strong>: CYCLOCROSS<\/strong><\/a><\/p>

I've known Alderney since she was an eight-year-old member of Chichester's Southdown Velo. I introduced her, and a few others, to cyclocross with a demonstration of my limited skills. Fortunately, Alderney couldn't have paid much attention and she turned out to have a talent for cycling. I have followed her career from afar ever since.<\/p>

\"\"Alderney Baker - Leaping high <\/em><\/strong>Image: John Lloyd, <\/em>Neutral Service Women's Cycling<\/em><\/a><\/p>

Alderney has faced more than a fair share of tragedy and adversity in her short life. It has always struck me that she has overcome these trials with a cheerful nature and resolute attitude.<\/p>

I was keen to catch up with the under-23 rider and talk about the next chapter in her life.<\/p>

All that glitters<\/h3>

I started by asking Alderney what attracted her to competitive cycling. It was not long after the Beijing Olympics which had seen Britain win a slew of medals in cycling. Her brother Erin was already a proud owner of a silver and blue Tornado racing bike.<\/p>

Just by chance, her father popped into the local bike shop accompanied by a young Alderney. There, propped up in the corner, was another shiny silver and blue Tornado bike. The 24-inch wheeled bike was a perfect fit for Alderney. You can imagine the scene. What father could deny those pleading eyes?<\/p>

Cycling was always in Alderney's blood. Her mum, in her youth, rode extreme distances as a cyclo-tourist, whilst her dad was a regular mountain biker with work colleagues.<\/p>

Angmering Raceway<\/h3>

Not long after becoming proud bike owners, Alderney and Erin were to be found racing at Angmering Raceway. Courtesy of British Cycling, I looked up her first year's results. Thirty-four wins from thirty-four starts. It sounds slightly less impressive when you discover she was usually the only under-8 girl competing.<\/p>

In reality, the results are misleading. She would race against much older boys and girls. I recall being impressed by the way the diminutive, but dogged, youngster, handled Angmering Raceway's twists and turns.<\/p>

\"\"Alderney at Angmering <\/em><\/strong>Image: Alderney Baker<\/em><\/p>

The Raceway is not somewhere you'd describe as lovely, unlike the pretty village of Angmering a few miles away. The air around it pervades with the odour of engine oil from the crashed stock cars which are its normal inhabitants.<\/p>

\"d5p83udlldagv3rnnqpyzepfbnv4fre7jzbdha5nv2piuur2.jpg\"<\/u><\/a>Rats were often seen scurrying away as we arrived. The wind whips in from the sea leaving the small knot of dedicated supporters huddled together for warmth.<\/p>

As a place for kids to learn their cycling craft, however, it has two distinct advantages. Firstly, its tight and slippy corners quickly teach bike handling skills. Secondly, the owners of the Raceway charge a nominal fee per rider making it economically possible to run races for even a small number of competitors. Often the case, when the rain joins the wind.<\/p>

Cyclocross national championships<\/h3>

Despite the handicap of being introduced to cyclocross by me, Alderney has achieved impressive results at the cyclocross national championships. In 2018 at Hetton-Le-Hole she claimed the bronze medal, finishing behind Harriet Harnden and Amy Perryman in the junior championship.<\/p>

The following year at Cyclopark she was fifth Junior. At Shrewsbury in 2020, the last national championships, she was fourth Under 23. As we all know, since then, there has been precious little cyclocross.<\/p>

Brutal<\/h3>

As part of the Empella cyclocross team, she has raced in elite Belgian cyclocross races including the Soudal Classics. It's something she's relished. 'Brutal\" is her reply when I ask her to describe the experience.<\/p>

\"\"Alderney loves the challenge of cyclocross <\/em><\/strong>Image: John Lloyd, <\/em>Neutral Service Women's Cycling<\/em><\/a><\/p>

Courses are far harder and more challenging both technically and physically. She describes the Belgian and Dutch riders as having a more positive race attitude.<\/p>

More positive? Does that mean they'll give you a shove, I ask? \"Well yes. They fight for every inch of the course. But then they're friendly after.\" She laughs. \"Well I think they are, but I don't always understand what they're saying.\"<\/p>

Fighting for road room with the older boys at Angmering Raceway has given Alderney the tenacity to stand up for herself.<\/p>

Koppenbercross<\/h3>

She describes the Koppenbergcross as her favourite course. It's for the bold and obstinant. She relished forcing her way up the climb over the infamous cobbles, countering the bike's desire to slip away on the descent and having nowhere to rest. \"I loved it\" she beams, even if she was over-geared with a single chainring set-up.<\/p>

The unbridled enthusiasm and cacophonic noise of the crowd only add to the enjoyment for Alderney. On one section of a Belgian course the fans, fueled by Belgian's finest or more likely Jupiler, were in raucous spirits. As each rider passed through a particularly muddy and treacherous section, like sirens, they lured the pilots to their fate with \"ooohhhs\" and \"aaahhhs\" depending upon the outcome.<\/p>

There's a naked man by the road<\/h3>

Apart from the racing, what has stuck in Alderney's mind about Belgium involves a very large man, the E17 motorway and a complete lack of decency. Alderney's expression was, appropriately enough, \"There's a huge naked man by the side of the road!\"<\/p>

The man in question is actually a 10-metre-high cyclops. Placed strategically close to the busy E17 motorway near Waregem. It's a work of art inspired by the manager of the H&M International forklift company. As this is a family show, I've not included a picture but if you are interested the story is here<\/a>. I can confirm it is a bit of a shock when you drive past. It has resulted in hate mail and death threats targeted at H&M International.<\/p>

Loving the turbo<\/h3>

Alderney is no fan of turbo training and Zwift. It's ironic as her previous team Lightning Racing had been dominating Zwift races during the Covid lockdown. She's a girl after my own heart who'd rather be outside in the fresh air and enjoying the countryside.<\/p>

She explains that what really benefits her fitness and skills is training with and racing against men when she gets the opportunity. She often trains alongside her boyfriend, and fellow Loughborough student, Toby Barnes. The GB rider who has recently signed for the German cyclocross Team Schamel.<\/p>

University<\/h3>

Alderney is studying for a BSc in Sports Science, Coaching and PE at Loughborough University. Loughborough is renowned for many of its educational disciplines and is considered a 'go-to' destination for sports. They had the sense and foresight to reject my application forty years ago.<\/p>

I asked Alderney if the course had improved her training and racing. \"There's more flexibility\" she replies. I can train more during the day when it's light. No more getting home from school in the dark and going on the hated turbo.<\/p>

She explained that the course has helped most with the psychological aspects of the sport. She can identify when she is having 'negative thoughts' and can more effectively process and address them.<\/p>

Bianchi Dama<\/h3>

Alderney is now racing on the road for Bianchi Dama, having previously ridden for the Lightning Cycling team which is Loughborough University's Elite women's team.<\/p>

Bianchi is the famous, and oldest, bike manufacturer associated with Fausto Coppi, Gimondi and Marco Pantani, amongst others. When I tell Alderney this she seems unimpressed. I can see her thinking \"Who are these people?\".<\/p>

\"\"<\/em>Teaming up at Bianchi Dama <\/em><\/strong>Image: Mick Bown<\/em><\/p>

I asked if she was drawn by the lure of riding for the legendary Bianchi name. \"No\" she laughs. Her best friend Natasha Reddy is a team rider and she's looking forward to riding with her as well as the support from the team.<\/p>

Team support and friendships are important to Alderney and she greatly values the help of Team Empella for whom she rides cyclocross. As any cyclocross rider knows, when it gets muddy, a pit crew and a pressure washer are precious commodities.<\/p>

Ambitions<\/h3>

Finally, we talked about Alderney's ambitions after University where she is in her final year. What does the future hold? \"I'd love to race cross. It's what I like best, but I'd be happy riding on the road. I just love riding my bike.\" And if that doesn't work out? \"There's always teaching\", she smiles.<\/p>

\"grrbpemyywmusal5merxugim70nijvc2vqzqxpkx6vlx83lu.jpg\"<\/p>

Acknowledgements<\/h3>

My thanks to Alderney for her time. In addition, I'd like to thank Mick Bown and John Lloyd (of Neutral Service Women's Cycling<\/a>) for the use of their fantastic photographs.<\/p>

13 September 2021, Tim Costello<\/p>

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