TOP SCOT OLIPHANT MEETS IRISH KING KELLY

RAF Leuchars Air force Base, Fife, Scotland. Current Scottish Road Racing Champion, Evan Oliphant had the opportunity to spend time with SportActive, the main sponsor of the Championship race last August, and rub shoulders with cycling legend Sean Kelly all in one day.

SportActive Managing Director Martin J. Birney and Sean Kelly were spending two days at the RAF Leuchars base filming a “SportActive Challenge”. Kelly had been challenged to fly in a Tornado fighter jet at speeds of 1,200kph – a little more than what the Hard Man himself reached on his bike. The King of the Classics was surprised at how much the flight took out of him. “In my prime I hit speeds of 124km going down a mountain during a stage of the Tour de France. Now that kind of speed on two thin tires is pretty intense but experiencing what G-force does to the body is altogether something else.” Kelly admitted.

Oliphant met up with the two as well as with members of the RAF Cycling Team on day two of the event while attending a seminar on power training given by Prof. Richard Davison of Napier University, Edinburgh. “I found Richard’s talk was very important for me.” Oliphant revealed. “ It reinforced how important it is to have a structure to one’s training routine, to focus on what one is training for, and then effectively go about achieving that. I’d like to get back in touch with Richard, I think he could be very helpful to me in my cycling career.”

Birney, who was happy to catch up with Oliphant again stated, “Sponsoring the Scottish National Championships gives SportActive the opportunity to showcase the cycling product we offer. Supporting Scottish Cycling has given us a great opportunity to expand the SportActive brand. We have invited Evan to join us as our guest in Majorca at our Cycling Centre for a week early next year. Evan will get in some solid training time and our guests will have a chance to ride and meet this young, up and coming professional who is sure to have an exciting future in cycling ahead of him.”

Evans, who rides for Plowman Craven in that eye-catching pink and turquoise kit is also looking forward to his prize of a week in Majorca at SportActive’s Cycling Centre, “I hope to get some good quality training miles in the hills to prepare for my ‘09 season.” The Scotsman smiled and added, “and the thought of doing that in the fine weather of Majorca is very appealing!”

The man who wears the Scottish National Championship jersey for the second year in a row is looking to win some British premier calendar races, will strive for a medal at the national road race and has his eye on some top 3 places in international events for the upcoming season. Evan greatly appreciates SportActive’s involvement in the Scottish Road Racing scene. “I think it is really important to have SportActive as a major sponsor. As cycling professionals themselves, they know what is involved in racing and their sponsorship gives the competitors something back for all their hard work.”

Kelly, who was meeting Oliphant for the first time, had this to say. “From what I hear Evan has a lot of talent and with the right team he could go a long way. It was a pleasure getting a chance to chat with him today.” Kelly, who is known to tell it like it is, then leaned over to Oliphant nudged him and said “Hey, Evan! Did you know you guys have been voted on as having the ugliest kit in the racing scene?” Kelly’s contagious grin spread over his face and even the Scottish Champion had to laugh!

October 2008, by Sarah Staber