Matt Nowell is determined not to push the panic button after a frustrating debut for BIKE Channel Canyon.
The 20-year-old was left gutted after missing the decisive split at the Clayton Velo Spring Classic in Clitheroe on Sunday.
After marking a relentless barrage of attacks from the full-strength 100% ME squad, the Sheffield Hallam University student paid the price.
But he insists he will learn from the experience and has vowed not to make any knee-jerk changes to his training ahead of the Eddie Soens Memorial in Aintree on Saturday (9.30am). Nowell said:
“It is difficult mentally to get over Clayton. I can’t wait for next weekend now. I want to get it out of my system but what I need to get into my head is not to panic.
“I don’t need to do any stupid training this week, tire myself out and then struggle even more at Eddie Soens.
“I felt pretty strong when I was rolling through. I was going with a lot of moves, more than I would in a normal road race.
“There is work to be done still. But in terms of form, for a first race of the season it wasn’t bad. It was just a pretty rubbish result.”
Nowell only had Jake Womersley for company on Sunday. However, BIKE Channel Canyon will field a full team of six for Eddie Soens.
George Atkins, Harry Tanfield, Jack Pullar and Sam Lowe will all make their debuts for the UCI Continental outfit in the 50-mile race.
Pictures courtesy of Ellen Isherwood.
