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ETHAN VERNON
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On this episode, we are joined by the British road and track cyclist, Ethan Vernon, who will give us a rundown of his favorite winter pieces to combat the cold and wet weather when training in the UK.
We’ll also chat about his hugely successful first season as a WorldTour pro. He got off to a great start winning a couple of stages at the Tour of Slovakia, and Volta Catalunya. Of course, none of this should come as a surprise given his pedigree on the track - he’s currently a Team Pursuit and Elimination World Champion for Team GB.
Along with the usual fun and casual stuff like his passion for coffee, pre-training breakfast, this episode has something for everyone.
We hope you’ll enjoy the episode!
We’ll also chat about his hugely successful first season as a WorldTour pro. He got off to a great start winning a couple of stages at the Tour of Slovakia, and Volta Catalunya. Of course, none of this should come as a surprise given his pedigree on the track - he’s currently a Team Pursuit and Elimination World Champion for Team GB.
Along with the usual fun and casual stuff like his passion for coffee, pre-training breakfast, this episode has something for everyone.
We hope you’ll enjoy the episode!
TOPICS COVERED & TRANSCRIPT
(00:00) Welcome
(02:53) Perfect Winter Kit to Beat the Cold and Wet
(03:58) What's In Your Race Rain Bag
(04:23) What Excites You About Bike Racing
(05:21) Joining the WorldTour
(06:14) Road Aero Suits
(07:04) Balancing Winter Training
(08:10) Favorite Coffee Style and Sweet Treat
(08:51) Race Food
(11:26) Joining Soudal Quick-Step and Learning the Ropes
(16:13) Biggest Cycling Dream
(16:26) Grand Tours
(17:06) Ending
SOREN JENSEN
What's your biggest cycling dream?
ETHAN VERNON
Well, champion on the road and then Olympic champion on the track.
SOREN JENSEN
Hello everyone and welcome to the Castelli podcast. My name is Søren Jensen, Castelli Marketing Manager and in this episode we are joined by the British road and track cyclist Ethan Vernon who will give us a rundown of his favorite winter products to combat the cold and wet weather when training in the UK. We will also take a look back at his first two professional seasons riding for Soudal Quick-Step which included some impressive results such as stage wins at the Tour de Romandie and a Vuelta a Ciclista Catalunya as well as being crowned the World Elimination and Team Pursuit champion on the track. The interview took place last spring during one of Castelli's many product feedback sessions with the riders and was more of a friendly chat than a formal interview. However, we will delve into topics such as dressing up for cold and wet winter rides, off-season cross-training, pre-training food, Aero Race suits, winter gloves, Ethan's passion for coffee and his cycling career goals. So sit back, relax and kick your feet up as we embark on an insightful conversation with incredible Ethan Vernon. Ethan, first of all, thank you for taking the time to meet with me after an already long afternoon of product feedback and fit sessions. You have access to a full toolbox of Castelli products. Which products really stand out to you and make your job doing the long winter training rides that little bit easier?
ETHAN VERNON
For sure it's the rain jacket. Living in Britain and the half winters we have there, it makes it so much easier, that rain jacket. I mean, I could ride for five hours in the rain and not feel wet. So, , when I have this on, it's really nice. But all of it, the waterproof leg warmers, the overshoes, I can literally ride for hours and not feel wet. So I think it's made it a lot easier from what I've used previously. It definitely helps training and reducing illnesses and things like that. It's quite important. If you can reduce the days you're ill because of your clothing then you're training more days aren't you in the year and then they all start to add up.
SOREN JENSEN
The products Ethan is highlighting are the Gavia and Slicker Pro Rain Jackets, Alpha RoS 2 Jacket, the Pioggia 4 and the Diluvio Pro Shoe Covers, Nanoflex Pro Bib Shorts and Nano Flex 3G Leg Warmers. What other fall winter items do you reach for when the temperature drops or when hitting out in the wet and cold British weather.
ETHAN VERNON
I tend to ride the same setup like most days if the weather is quite similar I'd go like the Thermal bib tights, the Sorpasso RoS2 but also the Tutto Nano water repellent bib tights are brilliant for British weather.
SOREN JENSEN
What other winter products really stands out and keep you warm?
ETHAN VERNON
The long Castelli overshoes, the neck scarf, the hat and steady thermal base layer and then depending on the weather I'd go like the long sleeve Gabba or Perfetto in a rain jacket if it's not too cold and then gloves, my hands get hooked if I just go for the thickest ones but again they're really good so . I'd rather my hands be too hot than numb.
SOREN JENSEN
Finding the best winter gloves can be a long project for many. That's why you will find 15 different long finger gloves and 16 different shoe covers in the Castelli range. By utilizing the product filter on our website you can actually narrow down the options that work for you, ensuring your hands and feet stay warm and dry regardless of the weather conditions. What's usually in your race rain bag before a spring classic race?
ETHAN VERNON
The Idro Long Sleeve and Gilet, maybe a pair of armwarmers such as the Nano Flex 3G warmers that are surprisingly waterproof as well but then like the Perfetto or Gabba and all the winter stuff because if you need the bag then normally like really cold.
SOREN JENSEN
Ethan, let's talk bike racing now, what part excites you the most?
ETHAN VERNON
What I like the most is like the end bits, the bits that are carnage and you're fighting and the lead out part, so I really enjoy that. And then also the descents on a nice sunny day, that's quite cool as well.
SOREN JENSEN
Which kind of race gives you the most pleasure?
ETHAN VERNON
I really enjoyed the stage racing this year actually. I couldn't tell you one specifically but there was days that were at Ad Kata's low pressure where you're helping the other guys, it's a mountain stage and you need the light at the bottom and then you're in a gruppetto and you're just like a trainer rider and you're just riding in the hills. But then the next day you're switched on and everyone's in for you and then you feel the pressure. But I quite like that variability that the stage racers have where one day is sometimes for you and another day is for someone else and I enjoyed that.
SOREN JENSEN
Coming into the world tour as a neo pro in 2022, did you find it difficult to gain the respect from riders from other teams and who would you be talking to mainly the wolfpack or the british riders?
ETHAN VERNON
I think it's always hard because you see like the guys that have been pro for five ten years already and they almost know everyone is in peloton and then you come in if your first year and you see everyone else chatting to people from different teams and I'm just looking for the other British guys or other guys in my team. But even just like one season along there's a few more names that I've made friends with in like group and things like that. So, I mean it only takes a couple of years and then you start to recognize more faces in the peloton and you end up at the same races as most people because you're that type of rider and each team sends that type of rider to that race and but I'd always look for a British rider because we're quite close back home.
SOREN JENSEN
And luckily there's also a bigger group of British riders in the peloton these days. Ethan, what's your go-to aero road suit and why?
ETHAN VERNON
I'd go for the BTW because I know from the track the aerodynamic gains that you get with speed suits and stuff like that so when I'm sprinting I'd definitely go for a suit like that but then the Superleggera Suit if it was like a mountain stage or something just something that's a bit more breathable and comfier to wear for when you're going up a climb for like an hour so I'd go for it and then the classics well the semi classics I did this year I'd also go BTW just because it's a flat out all day so over like a six-hour period the the watts saved is quite quite a lot and always aero socks even if it's any.
SOREN JENSEN
No cotton socks?
ETHAN VERNON
Never the cotton socks, always the aero.
SOREN JENSEN
Very good choice. The best aero combo when the race speed is high. Hey, let's go back to off-season training. Do you cross train on other bikes than road and track in winter?
ETHAN VERNON
I ride my mountain bike quite a bit actually. In the winter, I just think it's better to, especially if there's like chance of ice or snow or something like that I just don't think it's worth the risk and with the mountain bike with the bigger tires I think it's just a bit safer and like a mix you get it's nice to mix it up every now and again. There's a forest there where I live and the climbs are quite steep so it is a tough a tough ride but it's nice to do.
SOREN JENSEN
To do something different and stay protected from the wind and wind chill even with a wind speed of 5 miles per hour a fast road ride can feel like riding into freezing 25 miles winds so it's important to stay protected from the wind.
ETHAN VERNON
Yes, exactly but also like on my TT bike I jump on that like a couple times a week so stuff like that is how you balance like the track and the road is so you do a road ride and then you can say it's three hours long you could always do your two hours of efforts and then do the last hour of the TT bike or the three hours on the road and then just spend like 20 minutes on the rollers on the TNT bike. It's just that time and position really.
SOREN JENSEN
Do you like to stop for a coffee during your training rides or at the end?
ETHAN VERNON
Yes, it depends on what I've got to do that day. If I've got nothing to do then I'd definitely stop for a cafe but sometimes I have other bits around training and meetings and stuff so then I need to get back and I don't have time. I could easily spend too long in this traffic.
SOREN JENSEN
What is your go-to sweet and coffee style?
ETHAN VERNON
At my local one it would be like a flat white and then flapjack or a brownie.
SOREN JENSEN
Also two of my favorites.
ETHAN VERNON
It's a nice cafe, it's like a cycling cafe as well.
SOREN JENSEN
Yes, it's a good place to take a breather and enjoy some good coffee and food at the end of the ride. Well, talking about food, what's your favorite race food when walking onto the team bus?
ETHAN VERNON
I go for like an energy cake, I go for that. I try to mix, really, so energy cake and energy bar, some different flavored gels and stuff because I just think with some of the stage races you're away for such a long time you need to make sure you're not just eating one of the same food like every day because you just become sick of it so . But the 6D nutrition is really nice with all the teams so it's quite easy to eat.
SOREN JENSEN
At training camps or at home in winter do you have a normal breakfast like porridge, toast bread or a lunch breakfast rice omelet?
ETHAN VERNON
It depends, I always come away from the camp because we have omelets here in the hotel and I always for like the next few weeks make the same omelet as I've had here because it's so nice. But then that slowly phases out, when I get more tired. So no, I'd always have oats, the porridge at home and then, whether that's with omelet or something else, I mix it up a bit. But, that's my go-to. I just think porridge is so easy to eat in the morning and it's high carb so I think I like coffee.
SOREN JENSEN
Do you have any of those fancy looking Rocket Espresso machines?
ETHAN VERNON
Yes, I got a Rocket R58 so the UK distributor sorted me out. So, I make one each morning.
SOREN JENSEN
I've been a huge fan myself a Rocket espresso for over a decade and it took me a while to figure out how to brew the Perfect coffee after reading up on multiple how-to guides.
ETHAN VERNON
I kind of got into it, I wasn't really into it, I just had like a sage before, but then when I contacted him after the Olympics and he helped me out with one of them, I got really into it and I've been YouTubing the latte art and it's quite good.
SOREN JENSEN
It would be fantastic to have a Rocket on the bar since most riders on the team already know how to brew a good one.
ETHAN VERNON
So , we should have a Rocket, but then again we don't have loads of time before a race. If those seven riders queued up to do a Barista-style coffee, we might miss the start.
SOREN JENSEN
Exactly. Let's rewind a little and look back at your first professional year with Soudal Quick-Step. You entered the team strongly, achieving great results on the track, securing a stage victory at Tour de l'Avenir, and demonstrating your potential to be among the best in time trials. With three road race victories, four other podium placements, and a gold medal at the track World Championships in 2022, you couldn't have asked for a better start to your first pro season.
ETHAN VERNON
It was a really special first season with the team. And I sat down at the start of, well, this time last year with my trainer and said, he asked me what my goals were. And it was to learn in the first half of the season and then maybe win a race by the end. And then when that Caterphile win came in like March, April time, I got a red team and then it was reassessed. And, just keep learning from then, hopefully keep trying to win more. And, again, that came in Slovakia. So on the road, it was a bit of a surprise to jump straight to that level and win three races in my first year because, like, I didn't have much of a road program the last year and the previous years with Covid. It was my first proper season and to get three was a nice way and then obviously the track afterwards was a bonus.
SOREN JENSEN
Has it been difficult to live in two worlds, concentrating on your road career and at the same time focusing on preparing for your goals on the track? I think you've just got to be clever with it, it is difficult but you know you have time between races and where typically these guys would go home and just keep training on the road. I guess I do the same but between that I have to fit in stuff with the track team and maybe like additional gym sessions and wind tunnel testing and so there's a lot to go into the track side as well. But I think if you're organized it is possible and where the new track events sit it's also quite nice because it's after the road season so it just means an off season one week later. So it is manageable but you have to be clever and the way that the track's going you have to spend time in the position and in the wind tunnel because you can't just rock around and expect to go fast without any work in your position. So lots of hours are spent in the wind tunnel and on the track testing just around on top of my normal Quick Step training.
SOREN JENSEN
The Quick Step team always had some strong track rider profiles and many pros train on the track in winter. Do you guys often end up talking track cycling since you also compete against each other on the track?
ETHAN VERNON
Yes, there's a few guys that I speak to about the track. Mørkøv, he also went to the Olympics and we raced him in the final I think because we came last. We raced him in the final and then also the Belgian guys, they train on the track in the winter so I hear some stories about them and them asking me some questions because obviously they just do it for training but no it is something we speak about and I race against more Combat the World and things so it's nice to have a few guys that have got a similarish background to me even though it's more bunch racing than team pursuit.
SOREN JENSEN
Having pursued a career in track cycling, what made you change your mind and transition to the road?
ETHAN VERNON
It's predominantly been the track I think I did in the under 23. I did one season on the roads and the rest just was all track and as a junior I didn't do any road at all so that was all track so my whole upbringing as a road and track cyclist has just been track training. Training on the road to support the track races. So, it wasn't really until I was under 23 when I came back from the Games on that Lavernier stage that I thought there was something in the road for me. So it's only been like a year or two since I've decided that I could actually pursue things on the road. But, I think the rider I am today is because of that background and that speed work I've done on the track. So, I think it would be stupid to give that up now.
SOREN JENSEN
In your first pro year, did the team give you enough freedom to target your own goals, especially after taking your first pro victory early in the season at Catalunya?
ETHAN VERNON
I was really surprised, actually. I think that's been the thing I'm really most happy about with the team, is that I wasn't expecting to come to this team as a neo-pro with not much history in road and be like, led out by some of these guys that have been here years and I think I was really special for me that the team backed me straight away from the start of my first year and I know a lot of other teams you have to be there years and years to stand your place to then get chances like this so to get to get chances like that early is it was like nerve-wracking but it was special.
SOREN JENSEN
Did the team include you in the big lead-out train for Cav doing your first season in 2022?
ETHAN VERNON
Yes, it depends with the program which way the sprinters go and if the programs collide then I form part of the lead-out and there's been races where I've been with Cav and that was my first race actually in UAE with Morkov and Cav so it was great to be part of the train there and almost obviously it's still high pressure but had that a bit of pressure taken off it's my first race and I Helped Cav out and he won that race actually so that was a really nice start to the team But, I've really enjoyed helping the other lads as well.
SOREN JENSEN
What's your biggest cycling dream?
ETHAN VERNON
World champion on the road and then Olympic champion on the track. I think if I won them two I'd be quite happy. But then also there's other girls like Grand Tour stages.
SOREN JENSEN
You still haven't raised a Grandy yet. What Grand Tour would you like to be your first?
ETHAN VERNON
I think with Vuelta.
SOREN JENSEN
Why?
ETHAN VERNON
Because I'd rather the Heat than the Cold I think of the Giro, or the potential Cold in the Giro. And then the Tour would be... I've got a lot of pressure for my first Grand Tour. I think in the order would be Vuelta, and then once I've done that it would be the Tour and then the Giro.
SOREN JENSEN
Well the Giro can be dogged by bad weather especially in the high mountains where we have seen snow, rain, sleet and low temperatures.
ETHAN VERNON
But then saying that with a Castelli kit it would be alright. Get that, get that with the rain jacket on and we'll be fine.
SOREN JENSEN
Well Ethan thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me after this busy day of training in the morning and product feedback in the afternoon.
ETHAN VERNON
Thank you.
SOREN JENSEN
I'll see you downstairs for dinner later. Cheers. Thanks to Ethan for joining us on the Castelli show and telling us about his favorite Castelli products for riding through the harsh British winter month and how he balances his track and road cycling, season goals and his favorite race suits. As some of you probably already know, the 23-year-old sprinter will be heading to Israel Premier Tech in 2024 and plans to continue pursuing his track and road goals with his new team. If you have a question or topic you would like us to take up on a future episode, shoot us a line at a podcast at CastelliCycling.com or hit us up on social media. And if you enjoyed the episode, please make sure to subscribe, talk to your friends about the Castelli Pod, give us a 5-star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcast to help us be seen by other cyclists in the algorithm. Thanks again everyone and see you soon on a future podcast.
(02:53) Perfect Winter Kit to Beat the Cold and Wet
(03:58) What's In Your Race Rain Bag
(04:23) What Excites You About Bike Racing
(05:21) Joining the WorldTour
(06:14) Road Aero Suits
(07:04) Balancing Winter Training
(08:10) Favorite Coffee Style and Sweet Treat
(08:51) Race Food
(11:26) Joining Soudal Quick-Step and Learning the Ropes
(16:13) Biggest Cycling Dream
(16:26) Grand Tours
(17:06) Ending
SOREN JENSEN
What's your biggest cycling dream?
ETHAN VERNON
Well, champion on the road and then Olympic champion on the track.
SOREN JENSEN
Hello everyone and welcome to the Castelli podcast. My name is Søren Jensen, Castelli Marketing Manager and in this episode we are joined by the British road and track cyclist Ethan Vernon who will give us a rundown of his favorite winter products to combat the cold and wet weather when training in the UK. We will also take a look back at his first two professional seasons riding for Soudal Quick-Step which included some impressive results such as stage wins at the Tour de Romandie and a Vuelta a Ciclista Catalunya as well as being crowned the World Elimination and Team Pursuit champion on the track. The interview took place last spring during one of Castelli's many product feedback sessions with the riders and was more of a friendly chat than a formal interview. However, we will delve into topics such as dressing up for cold and wet winter rides, off-season cross-training, pre-training food, Aero Race suits, winter gloves, Ethan's passion for coffee and his cycling career goals. So sit back, relax and kick your feet up as we embark on an insightful conversation with incredible Ethan Vernon. Ethan, first of all, thank you for taking the time to meet with me after an already long afternoon of product feedback and fit sessions. You have access to a full toolbox of Castelli products. Which products really stand out to you and make your job doing the long winter training rides that little bit easier?
ETHAN VERNON
For sure it's the rain jacket. Living in Britain and the half winters we have there, it makes it so much easier, that rain jacket. I mean, I could ride for five hours in the rain and not feel wet. So, , when I have this on, it's really nice. But all of it, the waterproof leg warmers, the overshoes, I can literally ride for hours and not feel wet. So I think it's made it a lot easier from what I've used previously. It definitely helps training and reducing illnesses and things like that. It's quite important. If you can reduce the days you're ill because of your clothing then you're training more days aren't you in the year and then they all start to add up.
SOREN JENSEN
The products Ethan is highlighting are the Gavia and Slicker Pro Rain Jackets, Alpha RoS 2 Jacket, the Pioggia 4 and the Diluvio Pro Shoe Covers, Nanoflex Pro Bib Shorts and Nano Flex 3G Leg Warmers. What other fall winter items do you reach for when the temperature drops or when hitting out in the wet and cold British weather.
ETHAN VERNON
I tend to ride the same setup like most days if the weather is quite similar I'd go like the Thermal bib tights, the Sorpasso RoS2 but also the Tutto Nano water repellent bib tights are brilliant for British weather.
SOREN JENSEN
What other winter products really stands out and keep you warm?
ETHAN VERNON
The long Castelli overshoes, the neck scarf, the hat and steady thermal base layer and then depending on the weather I'd go like the long sleeve Gabba or Perfetto in a rain jacket if it's not too cold and then gloves, my hands get hooked if I just go for the thickest ones but again they're really good so . I'd rather my hands be too hot than numb.
SOREN JENSEN
Finding the best winter gloves can be a long project for many. That's why you will find 15 different long finger gloves and 16 different shoe covers in the Castelli range. By utilizing the product filter on our website you can actually narrow down the options that work for you, ensuring your hands and feet stay warm and dry regardless of the weather conditions. What's usually in your race rain bag before a spring classic race?
ETHAN VERNON
The Idro Long Sleeve and Gilet, maybe a pair of armwarmers such as the Nano Flex 3G warmers that are surprisingly waterproof as well but then like the Perfetto or Gabba and all the winter stuff because if you need the bag then normally like really cold.
SOREN JENSEN
Ethan, let's talk bike racing now, what part excites you the most?
ETHAN VERNON
What I like the most is like the end bits, the bits that are carnage and you're fighting and the lead out part, so I really enjoy that. And then also the descents on a nice sunny day, that's quite cool as well.
SOREN JENSEN
Which kind of race gives you the most pleasure?
ETHAN VERNON
I really enjoyed the stage racing this year actually. I couldn't tell you one specifically but there was days that were at Ad Kata's low pressure where you're helping the other guys, it's a mountain stage and you need the light at the bottom and then you're in a gruppetto and you're just like a trainer rider and you're just riding in the hills. But then the next day you're switched on and everyone's in for you and then you feel the pressure. But I quite like that variability that the stage racers have where one day is sometimes for you and another day is for someone else and I enjoyed that.
SOREN JENSEN
Coming into the world tour as a neo pro in 2022, did you find it difficult to gain the respect from riders from other teams and who would you be talking to mainly the wolfpack or the british riders?
ETHAN VERNON
I think it's always hard because you see like the guys that have been pro for five ten years already and they almost know everyone is in peloton and then you come in if your first year and you see everyone else chatting to people from different teams and I'm just looking for the other British guys or other guys in my team. But even just like one season along there's a few more names that I've made friends with in like group and things like that. So, I mean it only takes a couple of years and then you start to recognize more faces in the peloton and you end up at the same races as most people because you're that type of rider and each team sends that type of rider to that race and but I'd always look for a British rider because we're quite close back home.
SOREN JENSEN
And luckily there's also a bigger group of British riders in the peloton these days. Ethan, what's your go-to aero road suit and why?
ETHAN VERNON
I'd go for the BTW because I know from the track the aerodynamic gains that you get with speed suits and stuff like that so when I'm sprinting I'd definitely go for a suit like that but then the Superleggera Suit if it was like a mountain stage or something just something that's a bit more breathable and comfier to wear for when you're going up a climb for like an hour so I'd go for it and then the classics well the semi classics I did this year I'd also go BTW just because it's a flat out all day so over like a six-hour period the the watts saved is quite quite a lot and always aero socks even if it's any.
SOREN JENSEN
No cotton socks?
ETHAN VERNON
Never the cotton socks, always the aero.
SOREN JENSEN
Very good choice. The best aero combo when the race speed is high. Hey, let's go back to off-season training. Do you cross train on other bikes than road and track in winter?
ETHAN VERNON
I ride my mountain bike quite a bit actually. In the winter, I just think it's better to, especially if there's like chance of ice or snow or something like that I just don't think it's worth the risk and with the mountain bike with the bigger tires I think it's just a bit safer and like a mix you get it's nice to mix it up every now and again. There's a forest there where I live and the climbs are quite steep so it is a tough a tough ride but it's nice to do.
SOREN JENSEN
To do something different and stay protected from the wind and wind chill even with a wind speed of 5 miles per hour a fast road ride can feel like riding into freezing 25 miles winds so it's important to stay protected from the wind.
ETHAN VERNON
Yes, exactly but also like on my TT bike I jump on that like a couple times a week so stuff like that is how you balance like the track and the road is so you do a road ride and then you can say it's three hours long you could always do your two hours of efforts and then do the last hour of the TT bike or the three hours on the road and then just spend like 20 minutes on the rollers on the TNT bike. It's just that time and position really.
SOREN JENSEN
Do you like to stop for a coffee during your training rides or at the end?
ETHAN VERNON
Yes, it depends on what I've got to do that day. If I've got nothing to do then I'd definitely stop for a cafe but sometimes I have other bits around training and meetings and stuff so then I need to get back and I don't have time. I could easily spend too long in this traffic.
SOREN JENSEN
What is your go-to sweet and coffee style?
ETHAN VERNON
At my local one it would be like a flat white and then flapjack or a brownie.
SOREN JENSEN
Also two of my favorites.
ETHAN VERNON
It's a nice cafe, it's like a cycling cafe as well.
SOREN JENSEN
Yes, it's a good place to take a breather and enjoy some good coffee and food at the end of the ride. Well, talking about food, what's your favorite race food when walking onto the team bus?
ETHAN VERNON
I go for like an energy cake, I go for that. I try to mix, really, so energy cake and energy bar, some different flavored gels and stuff because I just think with some of the stage races you're away for such a long time you need to make sure you're not just eating one of the same food like every day because you just become sick of it so . But the 6D nutrition is really nice with all the teams so it's quite easy to eat.
SOREN JENSEN
At training camps or at home in winter do you have a normal breakfast like porridge, toast bread or a lunch breakfast rice omelet?
ETHAN VERNON
It depends, I always come away from the camp because we have omelets here in the hotel and I always for like the next few weeks make the same omelet as I've had here because it's so nice. But then that slowly phases out, when I get more tired. So no, I'd always have oats, the porridge at home and then, whether that's with omelet or something else, I mix it up a bit. But, that's my go-to. I just think porridge is so easy to eat in the morning and it's high carb so I think I like coffee.
SOREN JENSEN
Do you have any of those fancy looking Rocket Espresso machines?
ETHAN VERNON
Yes, I got a Rocket R58 so the UK distributor sorted me out. So, I make one each morning.
SOREN JENSEN
I've been a huge fan myself a Rocket espresso for over a decade and it took me a while to figure out how to brew the Perfect coffee after reading up on multiple how-to guides.
ETHAN VERNON
I kind of got into it, I wasn't really into it, I just had like a sage before, but then when I contacted him after the Olympics and he helped me out with one of them, I got really into it and I've been YouTubing the latte art and it's quite good.
SOREN JENSEN
It would be fantastic to have a Rocket on the bar since most riders on the team already know how to brew a good one.
ETHAN VERNON
So , we should have a Rocket, but then again we don't have loads of time before a race. If those seven riders queued up to do a Barista-style coffee, we might miss the start.
SOREN JENSEN
Exactly. Let's rewind a little and look back at your first professional year with Soudal Quick-Step. You entered the team strongly, achieving great results on the track, securing a stage victory at Tour de l'Avenir, and demonstrating your potential to be among the best in time trials. With three road race victories, four other podium placements, and a gold medal at the track World Championships in 2022, you couldn't have asked for a better start to your first pro season.
ETHAN VERNON
It was a really special first season with the team. And I sat down at the start of, well, this time last year with my trainer and said, he asked me what my goals were. And it was to learn in the first half of the season and then maybe win a race by the end. And then when that Caterphile win came in like March, April time, I got a red team and then it was reassessed. And, just keep learning from then, hopefully keep trying to win more. And, again, that came in Slovakia. So on the road, it was a bit of a surprise to jump straight to that level and win three races in my first year because, like, I didn't have much of a road program the last year and the previous years with Covid. It was my first proper season and to get three was a nice way and then obviously the track afterwards was a bonus.
SOREN JENSEN
Has it been difficult to live in two worlds, concentrating on your road career and at the same time focusing on preparing for your goals on the track? I think you've just got to be clever with it, it is difficult but you know you have time between races and where typically these guys would go home and just keep training on the road. I guess I do the same but between that I have to fit in stuff with the track team and maybe like additional gym sessions and wind tunnel testing and so there's a lot to go into the track side as well. But I think if you're organized it is possible and where the new track events sit it's also quite nice because it's after the road season so it just means an off season one week later. So it is manageable but you have to be clever and the way that the track's going you have to spend time in the position and in the wind tunnel because you can't just rock around and expect to go fast without any work in your position. So lots of hours are spent in the wind tunnel and on the track testing just around on top of my normal Quick Step training.
SOREN JENSEN
The Quick Step team always had some strong track rider profiles and many pros train on the track in winter. Do you guys often end up talking track cycling since you also compete against each other on the track?
ETHAN VERNON
Yes, there's a few guys that I speak to about the track. Mørkøv, he also went to the Olympics and we raced him in the final I think because we came last. We raced him in the final and then also the Belgian guys, they train on the track in the winter so I hear some stories about them and them asking me some questions because obviously they just do it for training but no it is something we speak about and I race against more Combat the World and things so it's nice to have a few guys that have got a similarish background to me even though it's more bunch racing than team pursuit.
SOREN JENSEN
Having pursued a career in track cycling, what made you change your mind and transition to the road?
ETHAN VERNON
It's predominantly been the track I think I did in the under 23. I did one season on the roads and the rest just was all track and as a junior I didn't do any road at all so that was all track so my whole upbringing as a road and track cyclist has just been track training. Training on the road to support the track races. So, it wasn't really until I was under 23 when I came back from the Games on that Lavernier stage that I thought there was something in the road for me. So it's only been like a year or two since I've decided that I could actually pursue things on the road. But, I think the rider I am today is because of that background and that speed work I've done on the track. So, I think it would be stupid to give that up now.
SOREN JENSEN
In your first pro year, did the team give you enough freedom to target your own goals, especially after taking your first pro victory early in the season at Catalunya?
ETHAN VERNON
I was really surprised, actually. I think that's been the thing I'm really most happy about with the team, is that I wasn't expecting to come to this team as a neo-pro with not much history in road and be like, led out by some of these guys that have been here years and I think I was really special for me that the team backed me straight away from the start of my first year and I know a lot of other teams you have to be there years and years to stand your place to then get chances like this so to get to get chances like that early is it was like nerve-wracking but it was special.
SOREN JENSEN
Did the team include you in the big lead-out train for Cav doing your first season in 2022?
ETHAN VERNON
Yes, it depends with the program which way the sprinters go and if the programs collide then I form part of the lead-out and there's been races where I've been with Cav and that was my first race actually in UAE with Morkov and Cav so it was great to be part of the train there and almost obviously it's still high pressure but had that a bit of pressure taken off it's my first race and I Helped Cav out and he won that race actually so that was a really nice start to the team But, I've really enjoyed helping the other lads as well.
SOREN JENSEN
What's your biggest cycling dream?
ETHAN VERNON
World champion on the road and then Olympic champion on the track. I think if I won them two I'd be quite happy. But then also there's other girls like Grand Tour stages.
SOREN JENSEN
You still haven't raised a Grandy yet. What Grand Tour would you like to be your first?
ETHAN VERNON
I think with Vuelta.
SOREN JENSEN
Why?
ETHAN VERNON
Because I'd rather the Heat than the Cold I think of the Giro, or the potential Cold in the Giro. And then the Tour would be... I've got a lot of pressure for my first Grand Tour. I think in the order would be Vuelta, and then once I've done that it would be the Tour and then the Giro.
SOREN JENSEN
Well the Giro can be dogged by bad weather especially in the high mountains where we have seen snow, rain, sleet and low temperatures.
ETHAN VERNON
But then saying that with a Castelli kit it would be alright. Get that, get that with the rain jacket on and we'll be fine.
SOREN JENSEN
Well Ethan thank you so much for taking the time to talk to me after this busy day of training in the morning and product feedback in the afternoon.
ETHAN VERNON
Thank you.
SOREN JENSEN
I'll see you downstairs for dinner later. Cheers. Thanks to Ethan for joining us on the Castelli show and telling us about his favorite Castelli products for riding through the harsh British winter month and how he balances his track and road cycling, season goals and his favorite race suits. As some of you probably already know, the 23-year-old sprinter will be heading to Israel Premier Tech in 2024 and plans to continue pursuing his track and road goals with his new team. If you have a question or topic you would like us to take up on a future episode, shoot us a line at a podcast at CastelliCycling.com or hit us up on social media. And if you enjoyed the episode, please make sure to subscribe, talk to your friends about the Castelli Pod, give us a 5-star rating on Spotify and Apple Podcast to help us be seen by other cyclists in the algorithm. Thanks again everyone and see you soon on a future podcast.
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