INTERVIEW: Gamage “honoured” to manage Team GB Vets
Newly appointed Team GB Veterans boss, Geoff Gamage, talks to 33/18 News about his new official role and the differences between managing Womens and Veterans racing.
“It is an honour to be asked to manage the Veterans Test team, having done the unofficial one last time.
“Once it was obvious that both sets of guys wanted the series I was more than willing to put the official wheels in motion as I supported it anyway.
“The way I see it, the veterans managing is entirely different to the girls, with their experience and knowledge it is more of a facilitator with match day managing, rather than the hands on coaching and tactics the girls require.
Geoff Gamage (right) pictured presenting the Indoor Team Championship shield to Wednesfield’s Chris Jewkes earlier this month. Photos by Andrew Davison.
“We will be choosing a squad of ten riders between myself and my appointed test skipper, Craig Marchant, and request of interest to race should be lodged with British Cycling via Paul West. Some have already done that. As with the other official squads, the actual team per match will be selected over there.
“We will have some get togethers, especially later on once the UK fixtures have finished. I am though aware there is a full Eurovets series which requires travelling and costs. I will be taking as many as those in as possible. The veterans have a very close knit community anyway so bonding shouldn’t be a problem.
“I think the quality of the Home International vets last year proved the was a platform at international level, well done Steve Mullinder for pushing that through.”