Matt Nowell revealed the Tour de Yorkshire has sent his motivation sky high as he prepares for his latest test as a professional bike rider.
The former Wheelbase man stepped up to the paid ranks this term with Tim Elverson’s BIKE Channel Canyon outfit.
Since then he has finished 16th in the Chorley Grand Prix and spent a day in the break at the Rutland-Melton International CiCLE Classic.
On Saturday he tackles the UCI 1.2 Ronde van Overijssel in Holland, which promises to be a completely different race to his previous two outings.
Nowell did not race in Yorkshire but is determined to help keep the feelgood factor going after the team enjoyed a stunning weekend. He said:
“I went to watch the Tour de Yorkshire on Sunday at Ewden Bank. It was the second-to-last KOM, just outside Fox Valley. I had been ill all week, so it was my first ride back.
“It was nice to get out there, catch up with the team and see them in action. They did us proud!
“I got high-fives off Jack (Pullar) and Chris (Opie). I think the whole team saw me, apart from Max (Stedman). He looked like he was in a bit of a box when he came past me!
“I could see the front group coming and said to my mate, I’m sure that’s Max. I could see a little Salice helmet.
“There were all these Dimension Data jerseys coming up the hill and there he was dangling off the back. So I started screaming at him!
“He was just losing the wheels as he came past me but that climb was absolutely savage. He did a fantastic job. To finish 23rd overall is a fair showing for a 21-year-old!
“I don’t think the team missed a move all race. It was awesome to see. I was meant to be doing my university work but I ended up watching coverage of all three days from start to finish. I can blame them all when I fail!
“It has given me massive motivation for the upcoming races. At no point watching it was I disappointed I had not been selected. We all
