Nicole at Motorcycle Live, the NEC Birmingham, UK
For the last time in 2017 we catch up with Nicole Lynch
The racing season has now ended and although many people call the winter months the ‘off season’ there never really is any time off. Almost as soon as 2017 was over, it’s time to start focusing on 2018.
Reducing the bike weight
Immediately we got to work and made a list of all the things we wanted and needed to upgrade on the bike for the following year. I specifically want to make the bike lighter. As I’m smaller than most of the other racers, it means the power to weight ratio on my bike is probably one of my biggest advantages. However, it also makes the weight of the bike a little more difficult for me to manage. To counteract this I work hard training all year to make sure I am as strong and fit as possible. Lessening the weight of the bike will both increase my power to weight ratio advantage and at the same time will make the bike easier for me to manage.
Along with lightening the bike, I have decided for next year to make the switch from Maxton suspension to Ohlins. I believe that using Ohlins suspension will make the rear shock more adjustable for me, another thing that comes with being lighter is that the rear suspension is even more important.
New Sponsors
There is also a lot of time now spent contacting potential new sponsors for the 2018 season. I am very lucky to have had very loyal sponsors with me throughout my racing career and they will continue with me into the 2018 season as well, but it never hurts to contact more sponsors as every little helps especially when racing in the UK.
2018
Getting the bike right, and having brilliant sponsors are just two pieces of the puzzle that makes up a racing season. Another major part is the amount of training you put in. I train at least 4-5 times a week, focusing on strength, agility and cardio. I went from struggling to complete an 8 lap race in 2015 to being able to do back to back 15 lap sessions on the bike. This is important as I used to tire towards the closing laps of a race, when it’s most important. Now I’m strong throughout. Although the off season is already busy I can’t wait for 2018 to start.
You can look back on all my blog entries for 2017 here and you can also follow me on Twitter , Instagram or facebook
Nicole Lynch
13th December, 2017
