Saturday, April 20, 2024

Lewis Askey – Signed with Groupama-FDJ then Locked Down

-

HomeInterviewsLewis Askey - Signed with Groupama-FDJ then Locked Down

We’ve been big on the ‘retro’ lately – for obvious reasons – but with the season starting to come back to life we’ve been speaking to one of the ‘men of the future’, Lewis Askey.

Lewis Askey
Lewis Askey has signed for Équipe Continentale Groupama-FDJ for 2020. Photo©supplied

Askey is just 19 years-old and probably best known for winning the 2018 edition of the junior Paris-Roubaix; for season 2020 he’s with Équipe Continentale Groupama-FDJ, based in Besancon.

When we spoke to him he’d just returned from a six-and-a-half hour 205 kilometre training jag out towards the Swiss border with the full équipe.

Lewis Askey
Lewis Askey and his new team mates enjoy the view of Besancon during a training ride. Photo©supplied

We kicked off with that ‘old faithful’ question; 

How did you first get into cycling?’

“I’ve been cycling since before I can remember, apparently I had my stabilisers off before I was two years-old.

“We live near Cannock Chase and there was always cycling – my dad was into it and my mum did triathlons so I had ‘sporty’ parents.”

Lewis Askey
Lewis Askey calls this a ‘tragic celebration’ – but a win’s a win! Photo©supplied

You’ve ridden the track and ‘cross as well as the road.

“I was on the British Cycling Junior Academy and track was a large part of that, good training but it’s not my absolute favourite, I prefer the road. 

“As for ‘cross, I just enjoy competition; not racing in the winter would be tough – I like beating people and it’s good for homing your bike handling skills. 

“If I’m honest, my favourite discipline is MTB, I’d love to compete at World Cup level, I think it suits me better than ‘cross?”

Lewis Askey
Lewis Askey with that most famous cobblestone. Photo©Christophe Dague/DirectVelo

That junior Paris-Roubaix win in 2018, tell us about it.

“That’s something that will stay with me for the rest of my life, no matter what happens I can always say; ‘I was once pretty good.

“I used to watch Tom Boonen on TV in the race and imagine what it must be like to ride it.

“It was a crazy day, I had good legs and was in the right places when it mattered.

“The adrenalin was pumping when I took that double right hander into the velodrome, there was a big crowd and I knew I could win.

“When I think back it still motivates me.”

Lewis Askey
Lewis Askey won the junior British Madison Championships with VeloVeritas pal Alfie George. Photo©supplied

Season 2019 also started well for you; sixth in Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, fourth in the Guido Reybrouck Classic and second in Gent-Wevelgem.

“It was a nice start, yes, I was happy with my consistency but there were races I could have won but didn’t – however, the rides I did are what got me here.

“In the Reybrouck Classic I should have been top two whilst in Kuurne I snapped a bike, I wasn’t riding for the Academy in that race but they gave me a bike, then I crashed and couldn’t sprint on the dodgy rear wheel I had, so a lot of ‘buts.’”

Lewis Askey
As well as being a national champion on the boards Lewis Askey also excels in the mud – here in great company with a 3rd place at Loenhout in the DVV Trofee. Photo©supplied

‘Only’ eighth in the 2019 Paris-Roubaix, disappointing?

“Disappointed, yes. 

“I believe I could have won again but the race just didn’t go our way with punctures and crashes – we missed the break and I tried to bring it back for Alfie George, I lead him out and he was just shy of catching the podium places at the line; he took fifth and I was eighth.”

How about that horrible day in Harrogate for the Worlds and 22nd spot?

“It was an awesome day, I like conditions like that.

“It was a great experience, a home Worlds with all the lads from the Academy there too but I just couldn’t do anymore; I was popped off Quinn Simmons wheel and he went on to win.” 

Lewis Askey is a skillful bike rider. Photo©supplied

Two 2020 races before ‘lock down,’ Ster Van Zwolle – UCI 1.2, 34th place and Le Samyn – UCI 1.1, 54th spot – tell us about them.

“I’ve not been on my best form but had been really looking forward to the Triptyque des Monts et Chateaux in early April, that’s a u23 three day with a time trial included – we did a TT effort in training recently and I was fastest.

“In Zwolle I got my head kicked in, the Dutch guys all know where to be in the right place, I had decent legs but was nervous, scared to miss out and I was going with everything.

“That’s OK with the juniors but over 180 kilometres there’s a bit of a difference.

“I was in the second echelon and gave everything to get across to the first one after 90 minutes of racing; I should have been patient, stayed in the second echelon – but I’m learning.

“The Samyn was only a few days later so I was still a bit battered from Zwolle but was starting to feel better.

“I was in a break of 20 with five Deceuninck riders on the first cobbled sector but some of the big teams missed it and pulled it back.

“It was pretty manic, you have to be at the front on wet, cobbled corners – on the last lap I was pretty tired after 200 K but it was a good week of racing.”

Lewis Askey
Lewis Askey is loving the life that riding for Groupama-FDJ enables. Photo©supplied

How did the Groupama-FDJ ride come about?

As a junior I was looking at my progression, I could have gone to the u23 Academy but I was fortunate that I wasn’t short of options and I decided that this was my best choice.

“The fact that Jake Stewart was already here and I could pick his brains was a big influence upon my decision.

“Last year I flew out to Besancon to see what was what and when I weighed everything up it was the best option, I didn’t want to focus on the track with the Academy.

“I have my own apartment in the city and a lot of flexibility on what I can do – I can ride MTB here and do ‘cross in the winter.

“The team’s facilities are world class; the service course is here, the gym, coaches – it’s a real hub.

“The coaches live here in Besancon and each one has his own handful of riders to look after.”

Lewis Askey
Lewis’ pain cave saw plenty of sweat during the last few months. Photo©supplied

How was ‘lockdown’ for you? 

“The team was very good, allowing us to go home to our families for the lockdown, not be stuck in France.

“I spent a lot of time at my girlfriend’s house in Wales, there’s a lot of space there and even though there were no races I don’t think I was affected too much.

“It was an opportunity to step back and do different stuff; running, BMX, stuff I would normally do in the winter – I even managed to play some tennis.

“There were a lot of people in worse situations than me and I think I’ve come out of it no worse for the wear.”

How did team communication go during lock down?

“Really good, we had an overview plan for a 15 to 20 week period to get back into action – management were ringing everyone in the team regularly to keep in touch and keep them involved.” 

How’s the lingo coming along?

“I perhaps didn’t do as much as I should during lockdown but I do see a tutor once each week.

“My grasp is OK, not atrocious, my reading’s not bad and by the end of the year I hope to be able to understand most of what’s going on.”  

Lewis Askey
Lewis Askey and team mates enjoy a stop during a recent training ride. Photo©supplied

Now that the season is about to kick off again, do you know the shape of your programme?

“It’s manic!

“Our first race is on August 6th and we race every weekend from there until the end of the season.

“I won’t be doing l’Avenir, GB will be Tom Pidcock and the Academy lads but when I came here I knew I might not get opportunities with the GB team.

“I may get a ride in the ‘Baby’ Giro but we have 10 riders chasing six places so I’ll have to justify selection.

“But I have a fair chance of riding Paris-Tours and Piccolo  Lombardia so it’s going to quite a spell of racing…” 

Lewis Askey
Lewis Askey hopes for a spot in the Groupama-FDJ team for some major races in this shortened season. Photo©supplied

A young man ‘living the dream’. With thanks to Lewis, we’ll be keeping an eye out for him on those results pages.

Have a look at Lewis’ website – Askey’s Antics
and if you’re feeling strong try his 10 minutes Abs workout

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

Peter Murdoch – Scottish 25 Mile TT Champion 2015

This piece is about the man who recently added his name to those of Bilsland, Obree and Macintyre on the roll of honour – Mr. Peter Murdoch (Neon Velo). The 35 year-old from East Kilbride’s ‘25’ silver in 2014 surprised us a little but his win this year didn’t; he looked every inch the champion to us as he blasted out to the final turn.

Jack Bauer – New Zealand’s new Elite Road Champion

It was Vik (who else?) first spotted the man; 'there's a New Zealand rider winning a lot of races for Kingsnorth Wheelers in Flanders just now, you should get hold of him!' he told me, last summer. We duly tracked down Jack Bauer and have been keeping an eye on him and talking to him, ever since.

Louis Meintjes – u23 World Road Championship Silver Medallist

The U23 World Road Championships race threw up a number of surprises; all of the big name Belgian, British, French and Italian favourites failed and Slovenian Matej Mohoric moved seamlessly up from junior to U23 Champion of the World. In second place was a young man who chased the Slovenian all the way to the line and once again reminded us that African cycling has to be taken seriously. Louis Meintjes (MTN-Qhubeka and Republic of South Africa) kept the African Pro Continental squad’s dream of a season rolling with the silver medal.

Rik Van Linden – One of the 70’s Fastest Men

The word ‘legend’ is over used these days; but today we bring you an interview with a man who firmly deserves the title – Mr. Rik Van Linden of Belgium.

At Random

Lotto Zesdaagse van Hasselt 2007 – Day 4

Kris was just telling us that oxygen cylinders are banned from track centres under UCI regulations. Marc piped-up; "that's a pity, I could have done with a cylinder strapped to my back on the first night!" He's one of the boys now, amazing how much difference a couple of days can make to relationships. It's wet outside and very warm in here, there was a big junior and ladies programme in the morning, complete with the usual crashes. Belgian junior track racing is not for those of a nervous disposition.

Scottish Road Race Championships 2018

Mark Robertson (Army CU) who successfully defended his 2017 title, confirming that he’s ‘not just a sprinter’ and giving lie to suggestions that his win last season was a ‘fluke.’ VeloVeritas hasn’t been to the Scottish Road Race Championship for a year or two but when we heard it was in Cromarty, one of favourite places on the globe there could be no excuse for absence.

John McMillan – Scottish Star of the 60’s and 70’s

When I started cycling back in 1971 I quickly learned that there were five men I should stand in awe of; Belgians, Eddy Merckx - no explanation necessary - and Patrick Sercu, world sprint champion, Olympic kilometre champion and Grand Tour stage winner; Danish super stylist, world hour record holder Ole Ritter; British 25 mile record holder, Alf Engers and long term Scottish 25 mile record holder, John McMillan. Over the years I’ve managed to get my picture taken with Eddy and Ole, interviewed Alf and have even had the odd chat with Patrick.

Giro d’Italia 2012 – Stage 3: Horsens 190km. It’s Not All Ice Cream & Fairies

My club mate Davie Gardiner, in the Kirkcaldy and District CC, back in 1971 used to say that when he meant things were going swimmingly well; 'it was aw ice cream an' fairies !' Cav had one of those days, yesterday. Not so, today for the Giro d'Italia 2012 - Stage 3 into Horsens.