HUNT at the Tour of Britain 2019

Another Tour of Britain done, and another Eisberg Intermediate Sprints jersey in the bag. What an epic ride it was by Rory Townsend to fend off competition from both World Tour & Pro Conti riders, in a week that saw him put world class sprinters away (such as a Matteo Trentin).

We were lucky enough to be on the road with the team for the duration of the race, and were once more reminded of the fact that Canyon dhb are nothing like other race teams. It's hard to explain quite why, but it feels more like a family than a sports team. When sat in big rooms at hotels for dinner, sharing with the world's strongest riders from World Tour teams, our table would be the loudest. Amongst polite conversation on the tables of other teams, we'd be howling with laughter (often to the point of tears). At the start of races, 50 Cent could be heard blaring out through bluetooth speakers as the riders would be dancing about, smiling and taking the p*** out of one another. 

All joviality aside, the boys meant business on the road. If better placed, Matt Bostock could have seen more than just the 1 top-ten finish that he achieved in the week, and we shared in everyone's heartbreak when the Townsend/Tanfield breakaway just didn't make it on the run into Newcastle.

HUNT sent Ollie along to help the team, which took many forms. Primarily, 'Drive' was in charge of... er... driving. He'd take the riders in the campervan from the hotels to the race starts, before transferring to the race finish during the stage, ready for the lads to finish racing. Upon arrival, they'd have a recovery shake and get straight on the turbo (mostly) for a bit, before showering and then driving on to the hotel for the following night. Upon arrival, bikes & cars needed to be cleaned and prepped, and vehicles refuelled, before dinner together and then to bed before waking up to repeat the whole process.

We had Dan of Breakaway Digital with us for a few days early on, and think the race is a story best told through pictures (especially when they're as good as his). So... enjoy!

A helicopter over the racers

Hunt Wheels resting against a car

Director of Sportive

Canyon rider wearing Canyon emblazed bib shorts

Canyon Rider looking back through the window of car

Map of the course

Cyclist looking at the camera with his mouth open

Canyon rider looking through the lens of a camera

cyclist signing the union jack flag

cyclist warming up looking at young man next to him

team member fixing bikes to the top of the car

team rider sat in the car looking out

Canyon bike leant against a wall

Team member holding a Hunt wheel

rider pinning his number on his jersey

Canyon cyclist laughing

Team member in the car looking at gps

Canyon Team rider doing a wheelie

Canyon team mates on the team bus

Canyon rider running his fingers through his hair

Canyon rider wearing a white helmet and glasses

team member looking at course map

man with tattooed arms making gun fingers

Hunt Brand Manager, Ollie, getting out of the Canyon car

Canyon team mates having a chat

Canyon cyclist sat down doing up his jacket

Canyon driver laughing out of car window

Canyon cyclist looking tired

September 17, 2019 — James Finch
Left Older Post Back to Journal | Hunt Bike Wheels Newer Post Right