Thursday, March 28, 2024

Kate Cullen – British Points Champion

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HomeInterviewsKate Cullen - British Points Champion
Kate Cullen
Kate Cullen struggles with the politics – same as the rest of us.

Kate Cullen’s decisive victory in the British Track Championships is the strongest indication yet that those, including the selectors of the WCPP, who had written her off as ‘too old’, will have to reappraise her situation. VeloVeritas talked to her when she got back from Manchester.

That 30km Points win in the British Nationals must have been quite an important one for you Kate?

“Yes, hopefully that race will take me into the World Cups from November. After that, I hope, the World Championships.

Then there’s the Olympics in 2008. What are your chances?

“Well, of the female riders at the moment, in the Points there’s no one really who can challenge me.”

Kate Cullen
Kate in action at the Commonwealth Games.

Are you still doing sprint?

“No, today you have to specialise. In the Commonwealth Games I rode sprint as well and at a British or Commonwealth level I can still do OK but at international level, I’m just not fast enough and I don’t know the tactics.”

What are your prospects of backing from the WCPP?

“I’ve no idea. My age makes that a bit more complicated. If I don’t get the backing I won’t be too disappointed — I just want the access to the races. That’s more important because I do have a personal sponsor who helps me — that’s Wolfson Electronics.”

You used to run, did you not?

“Not seriously, not competitively. I did the London Marathon once but that was years ago.”

Kate Cullen
Kate in action for her Scottish team, the City of Edinburgh Racing Club.

How much training do you do, and do you workout?

“About fifteen hours a week at the moment. In the winter it might go up a bit to get in more mileage since it’s important to build up a good base. I used to go to the gym but I don’t go anymore. My coaches don’t think it’s necessary.”

Tell me a little about your bike…

“It’s a very basic off the peg bike. It’s not custom made or anything; it’s just a Giant compact frame and that’s it basically.”

I thought all you track guys used carbon fibre machines built by racing car manufacturers?

“You’re talking about Chris Boardman’s bike built by Lotus. My road bike’s carbon fibre but weight isn’t such a big issue on the track. My bike is about 17 lbs and it’s really border-line as being too light. It’s the wheels and tyres that make the difference more than the actual frame. When I race at British or Commonwealth level I get lent discs because they’re very expensive — about a thousand pounds.”

What’s the worst you’ve experienced in your cycling career?

“The Politics.”

And the best?

“My race performances this year.”

Thank you very much for your time Kate, we hope to see you make the British Team soon, and win a big title on the world stage.

Ed Hood
Ed Hood
Ed's been involved in cycling for over 50 years. In that time he's been a successful time triallist, a team manager and a sponsor of several teams and clubs. He's also a respected and successful coach and during the winter months was often working in the cabins at the Six Days for some of the world's top riders. Ed remains a massive fan of the sport and couples his extensive contacts with an inexhaustible enthusiasm for the minutiae and the history of our sport. In February 2023 however, our dear friend and beloved colleague Ed suffered a devastating stroke and faces an uncertain future; Ed has lost his ability to speak, to read, and has lost movement on the right side of his body. He's working with speech and physical therapists on rehabilitation, but all strokes are different and each patient responds differently, so unfortunately recovery is one day at a time. Ed ran his own business installing windows, and will probably not be able to work again. Please consider joining us to make a contribution to Ed's GoFundMe page to help stabilise and secure his future.

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