Friday, March 29, 2024

Michael Nicolson – Back to Blighty with Starley Primal

-

HomeInterviewsMichael Nicolson - Back to Blighty with Starley Primal
Michael Nicolson
Michael Nicolson.

It’s a sad day; VeloVeritas has lost our man in the Flatlands front line – Michael Nicolson.

He’s back in the UK for 2014 and signed up with new team, Starley Primal – new home too for fellow Scot, Davie Lines.

We thought we’d best have a word…

This interview was conducted before the Scottish team for the Commonwealth Games was announced.

Why leave the flatlands, Michael?

“Quite simple, I’d had enough.”

I believe it was pretty feral in the peloton at the end of 2013 with the five big teams folding?

“I didn’t really notice; lots of friendly/chatty riders if that’s what you mean.”

How was the Doltcini team in 2013?

“Pretty much a standard Belgian outfit; an ace program of races, good group of riders, maybe a few problems but overall decent.”

What was your best performance in 2013?

“My 14th place in Zottegem.”

[That’s the tough GP Stad Zottegem over 182 kilometres; 2013 winner was Slovenian hard man Blaz Jarc (NetApp-Endura) with Vacansoleil duo Wouter Mol (The Netherlands) and 2012 Paris-Tours winner Marco Marcato (Italy) third and fifth respectively. The race is UCI 1.1 and was first held in 1934. The race is also known as the Dokter Tistaertprijs after the legendary figure – known as ‘The Father of the Young Flemish Riders’ – of the same name who as well as dispensing free medical care to young riders had a hand in the organisation of the first edition of the race back in 1934. Ed.]

Michael Nicolson
Michael in his Belgian team’s colours. Photo©Martin Williamson

And the toughest day of 2013?

“The Ronde Van Zeeland Seaports (UCI 1.1). [Won by Lotto’s Andre Greipel from Ramon Sinkeldam and Kenny Van Hummel. Ed.]

“I can sum it up in two words: Wind. Cobbles.”

You’re with Starley Primal for 2013; tell us about the team, please?

“I’ve only met the team once – at the bike show.

Everyone seems nice and dead keen to get stuck in. The bikes looked nice and the kit is good.

“The team is from the south west but has a strong Scottish link with Scottish riders on both the men’s and women’s team.”

How did you get the ride?

“They had a rider pull out around Christmas and Jack Pullar recommended me.

“Cheers Jack.”

Isn’t going to be tough adapting to the UK scene, again?

“Yes, for sure.

“The level is high and the race formula is different but I’ll just try my best and see what like.”

How has your winter gone?

“I’ve had no illness or injury so I can’t complain.”

Michael Nicolson
Michael had a good winter. Photo©Martin Williamson

What’s the programme looking like for 2014?

“The Premiers and the Tour series – Scottish races otherwise.”

Are you full time?

“Yes, for the time being.

“I’m on the lookout for a job to use my degree in (Electronic Engineering) or I would really love to have a job in sport. If something combined the two then that would be brilliant.”

Have you been riding the track?

“Yes, it’s decent for keeping the legs flapping over during Scottish winters.”

I’m presuming The Games is a big goal – road or track?

“I suppose but I’m not really sure if it’s likely.”

What are the selection criteria?

“Top three placings in Premiers, or UCI points, or something.”

Has a ‘long’ squad been announced, yet?

“No idea – I think it’s a “keeping cards close to the chest” type of affair.”

What did you think of the Games Road Race course?

“If it’s the exact same as the British Champs course then I like it.

“There are a few horrible sections but it takes the race to the public and shows off the city so no complaints from me.

“Also it’s like a kermis and I’m used to that type of race – so I think I could do a good job in it.”

What do you think you’ll miss most about Flanders?

“Colruyt supermarket – where I got a free lunch (food samples and coffee) for three years.”

No nostalgia or nonsense from Our Michael, but he’s been there and done it – respect.

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.

Related Articles

Joe Dombrowski – “I think that my best is still ahead of me”

It was way back in September 2011 on the eve of the Copenhagen World Championships when we first interviewed Joe Dombrowski, no one seemed to have noticed that he’d won a stage and finished second overall to a certain Fabio Aru in the Giro della Valle d’Aosta – one of the biggest u23 races in the world.

Katie Compton – US Cyclo-cross Legend

If you know your cyclocross then you’ll know this lady; 15 times US Elite Champion and five times on a Worlds podium: Katie Compton. But her career is drawing to a conclusion and we thought we couldn’t let a book like hers close without mention.

Shane Archbold – Fiorenzuola Summer Six Day 2013 Winner

We talk to Shane Archbold about the Fiorenzuola Summer Six Day. My favourite Shane story is the one where I pulled him in off the track at Copenhagen during the Six Day.

Llewellyn Kinch – Two Wins from 13 Starts in Belgian Kermises

Our man with his finger on the Flanders pulse, Vik, first tipped us off about this gentleman at the end of the 2011 season. Llewellyn Kinch was getting up there on the Belgian results websites and onto Vik’s radar. Here are the background questions we asked, from the end of the 2011 season.

At Random

Le Tour de France 2007 – Day 7: Stage 17, Pau – Castelsarrasin

Pau, Thursday morning, the sun is out, so that's a good start. How do we feel? A tad flat, it has to be said, but the show must go on. Over to our left, the publicity caravan is rolling-out, headed for Castelsarrasin. It's a day for the "baroudeurs" today - the breakaway specialists. There are five fourth and one third category climbs today, so it's a hard day's work - maybe a French win? That would be nice, this Tour could do with a 'lift'. The Pez guy is out of the office today, checking-out the 2008 Look frames and bikes launch in San Jose - a dirty job, but...

Dan Fleeman – Coaching in a Lockdown

In these ‘Strange Days of COVID-19’ if you’re a racing cyclist, what do you do about training? We asked ‘Dig Deep Coaching’ founder, Dan Fleeman for his advice on how to train in these trying times. Fleeman is a long-time friend of VeloVeritas, past winner of the British u23 Road race Championship, the Tour of the Pyrenees and rode as a professional with DFL, AN Post, Cervélo and Raleigh...

No More Hiding (TDF 2012 St 11)

The first big mountain stage of the Tour has exposed the form of the riders who have intentions of finishing on the podium in the race. The best five in the race to date have been Wiggins, Evans, Nibali, Froome and Van Den Broeck (VDB). Bizarrely, Chris Froome is probably the best in the race right now: he completely cracked Cadel Evans AND (briefly) dropped his own team leader.

Kyle Gordon – “Selection for the Scottish Cycling Commonwealth Games Squad is my number one priority”

John Archibald has ‘done the business’ when it comes to qualifying for the individual pursuit at the Commonwealth Games on the Gold Coast, Australia come the spring. But Scotland has another young man chasing qualification for those lung shredding four kilometres, Mr. Kyle Gordon; we had a word with him after his recent adventures in Europe.