ON THE DROPS INTERVIEW: JAMES 'HANK' LOWSLEY WILLIAMS
Following an absolutely stunning first half of the season during the Tour Series (British Crit series) with a third and three fourth places. Hank took things a little slower during the second have only to come firing into an all out 'cross (or as he likes to call it - "dirt crits").
We managed to catch Hank for the dreaded On The Drops to chew the fat of all things cycling and not so cycling.
Name: James Lowsley-Williams
Age: 25
Born and Bred: Gloucestershire Boy
Ice breaker – describe yourself in three words. Ambitious, Adventurous, Comitted
Cheers for taking the time to speak with us today. First thing’s first… what a year! It’s been a really exciting journey not just for us but for all involved parties for sure. How did the season go for you?
This season has been fantastic, Bike Channel Canyon came out the blocks winning and the attitude and camaraderie grew from the first race to the last, With a dedicated team on the bike and a dedicated support team there was no stopping us. I am looking forward to building on lasts years success and dominating in 2018.
Any big/standout highlights for you?
Stand out for me was being the most successful British team in Tour De Yorkshire, getting in the break and showing off the jersey in style.
What’s your cycling story? When did it all start and why?
It all started from boarding school, Where I had my sights set on a scholarship into the marines, To achieve this I had to stand out from the crowed, I took up mountaineering. After climbing Mont Blanc at 16 I had my sights set on being the youngest brit to summit Everest. It was then when I found out the best way to train for mountaineering was to ride a bike. From there my Everest attempt started to fall by the way side with weather issues. So my next step was to hit the velodrome and attempt the Everest of cycling and thats the Tour de France, I headed to Newport velodrome where Courtney Rowe took me on and from then Magnus Backstedt and Nigel Mansell mentored me to become the rider I am today. As you can see I am the ambitious type.
First bike you owned?
Spezialised Allez
Favourite bike you owned?
Canyon Aeroad (or my Triumpth Thruxton)
If not a pro bike racer, what would you be doing?
I would be attempting something else which is equally as gruelling.
Now, we love cyclocross (like, an unhealthy amount) – what’s your story with this discipline? When did you start getting involved, and do any of the other team riders dabble in CX during the off season?
I actually set up an events company called (www.chavenagechallenges.com) where I put on a CX event (Lovecrossed) it has grown massively in the last few years and I have always been desperate to get involved it looks so much fun and from getting stuck in this year I am loving it.
What league have you been racing in, and how have you been getting on there?
I have been getting into the western but I am hoping to head to the Wessex and trophies by the end of the year!
We’d quite like to see Harry Tanfield on a CX bike, can you make this happen?
Yes I'll get on it haha
Mathieu or Wout?
Wout for me, I have raced him on the road a few times and he is just an insane athlete
Bunny-hop or dismount?
Bunny-hop always
Back to the road, what’re the plans for next season? Any major targets or aims, either personally or for the team, that you can share with us?
I am actually about to head off to China to get back racing on the road, but hopefully get more races abroad but we have got unfinished business with the Tour Series, We want to win that for sure!
We like to end with a crash story… What was your biggest cycling accident/crash, and how much stuff did you break?
It has to be this year attacking from the Tour of Britain peloton on the wet and wiping out big style. I think more for the amount of views it got round the country being replayed time after time on Live TV ain't a bad way to crash.
Ride on Hank!