Future Stars

Liam Holohan - Merlin RaceTeam

Liam Holohan, a 19 year old from Morley, West Yorkshire, a rider of the Future. He is currently a member of the Merlin race team and Liam rides the Chevin Cycles, Yorkshire TLI road races for training, after just doing a spell of riding in Belgium.

Q: How old were you when you first started riding a bike?

LH: Before I can remember! I started racing when I was under 10 on the mountain bike and then on the road and it just took off from there.

Q: How did you get into racing?

LH: It was my Dad's influence, he did it so I wanted to do it. He took me out on the mountain bike around the local area and then to my first race.

Q: What was your first race, and how old were you?

LH: I have no idea it was so long ago. I suspect it will have been a mountain bike race at Sherwood Pines, I used to do a lot of them when I was young. I will have been under 10.

Q: What was your first club and what are your memories of it?

LH: My first club was Airedale Olympic. I can remember going out on the club runs as a kid and getting a kicking!

Q: Who is the most influential person you have met?

LH: As far as cycling goes, there are so many! I would have to say mainly my Dad, as he got me started in it all. Also my team manager and coach at Merlin, Cherie Pridham, she knows pretty much everything that's worth knowing about cycling, and has done all the major races including the Tour De France.

Q:Can you tell us about your time in Belgium and when you hope to go back?

LH: Belgium was a real experience, it really taught me how to race. Everything over there is done so professionally and the standard of the riders is so high. I rode some amazing events over there. There was one UCI event held over the same roads as Liege-Baston-Liege. There was a field of 180 riders, about 30 teams, all with 2 team cars and about 30 motor cycle escorts. It was just like being a Pro! At the moment I don't have any plans to go back and race in Belgium. Merlin's objectives for the year are the major British races, like the Premier Calendar. So I will stay based in the UK for the rest of the season.

Q: What are your plans for the future?

LH: For the rest of the season there is the National Crit series and a few more Premier Calendar events, where I would like to be on the podium before the end of the year. There is also the National Championships, the Under 23 title is a big objective for me. As for long term, I would love to turn professional and ride in the Pro Tour.

Results

2007 (under 23/senior)

Major Results.

• 15th Tour of the Reservoir - 1st u/23.
• 22nd Archer Grand Prix.
• 11th East Midlands International CiCLE Classis (Rutland-Melton) - 2nd u/23.
• 13th Lincoln Grand Prix - 2nd u/23.
• 7th Roger Martin Memorial - 1st u/23, 1st in Sprints comp, 1st Team.
  
  

2006 (junior)

• Tour of the Peaks National RR Series - 6th
• Yorkshire Regional RR Championships - 1st
• BC National RR Championships - 10th
• Halifax RC Cat RR - 2nd
• Denderhoutem 1.14.3 (Belgium) - 9th
• Deerlijk (Belgium) 1.14.3 - 10th
• Lochristi-Hyfte (Belgium) 1.14.3 - 8th
• Remouchamps-Ferrieres. ( Belgium Interclubs) - 11th
• Keizer der Juniores, Koksijde ( Belgium) UCI 2.1 - 7TH
• Calderdale Mountain Bike Challenge - 1st
• Otley 2 Stage Hill Climb - 3rd