The 3 Peaks Cyclo-Cross Race is one of those events that gets into your head and doesn’t leave. After taking it on for the first time last year and finishing in 4 hours 16 minutes, Will Scholey came back this year with a full season of racing and training behind him, and some unfinished business with the sub-four-hour mark. We caught up with him after the race to see how it went.
What was it like going back for your second attempt at the Three Peaks?
Really good to be going back. Last year had given me a taste of what the race was all about, and after a season of racing and training I was hungry to give it my best shot. I’d done the specific training sessions in the week before, and we’d been out on the course to recce it with the full setup. I went into it feeling confident, which was a nice change from the nerves I had this time last year.
What kind of bike setup did you use?
Pretty similar to last year, with a few key changes. I was running a new wheelset, Superteam carbon wheels, with a different set of Schwalbe tyres on them – Schwalbe G-ONE RS PROs. Massive thank you to Russell for getting the bike dialled in and ready. I was a bit unsure about the tyre choice at first because they looked a touch slick, but they turned out to be ideal. The deep-rimmed wheels caught the wind on the tops, but once I was moving, it didn’t affect the riding at all, up or down.
Last year, you told us about nutrition and hydration. Has anything changed?
Yes, big change this year. My team is now sponsored by Precision Fuel and Hydration, which has been fantastic. My main goal after last year’s race was to sort the cramping out, and the key for me was running a much higher sodium concentration in the electrolytes. That paid off on race day. No cramp at all, which is a huge win compared to last year.
How was your support on the day?
Same brilliant setup as last year. Dad was out on the course again on the shop hire e-bike, kitted out with all the spares, nutrition, and everything needed for the pit zones. My mum, girlfriend and her mum were on the course too, along with loads of other supporters cheering me on. It makes such a difference, especially when things get tough.
Tell us about the race itself. How did it go this year?
I had a much better starting position this year, up in the top 50, which made the opening road section a lot easier to manage. The road training showed straight away and I was moving efficiently from the gun. The first off-road sections had the usual bottlenecks, but I managed to pick my way through them.
Simon Fell was where the running training I’d been doing paid off. I was off the bike earlier than some, but I ran past a lot of riders and moved up again. By the top of Simon Fell I was back on the bike, pushing hard and well positioned. Over the top of Ingleborough I was at 54 minutes, 6 minutes faster than last year, which was a huge boost, and I was on schedule for sub-four at the first time check.
The only hiccup on that section was the bottle cage coming loose while I was carrying the bike, so I ended up having to shove the bottle in my back pocket. The descent from Ingleborough went better than last year, more confident and a bit stronger, though it’s still an area I want to improve on for next time.
Back on the road, and once I had a fresh bottle and gels, I was flying. The road sections were where I made the biggest gains, picking my way through the field person to person, group to group, until I had clear road and could really open up. By the climb onto Whernside I was up to around 70th, and I came over the top at 2 hours 3 minutes. I got on the steps without cramping and held my position. The descent came and went, and even though I’m not as confident as some on the technical stuff, I found I could run down a few sections as fast as some riders were riding them. No mechanicals, no punctures.
At Ribblehead I was still ahead of the sub-four pace. Pit 2 was more electrolytes and a spare bottle, then straight out onto the road into a headwind. That road into the base of Pen-y-Ghent was probably the hardest section of the whole race, out on my own grinding into the wind, but I knew it was costing everyone time and I was one of the fastest through there.
Pen-y-Ghent itself went much better than last year. I rode all the way up to the Horton Bridleway finger post before I had to get off and run, which was a big improvement. The tyres and pressure (32psi, Vittoria inserts, tubeless) were spot on. No wheelspin even on the loose stuff, and I made up more places than I lost all the way to the top. Over the summit at 3 hours 33 minutes. By that point I was starting to worry about the sub-four because conditions were slowing things down a bit, but I kept going.
I rode the whole way down the descent, which was quick for me. Alistair Brownlee came past on the way down, and I nearly caught him again on the road run-in, working with another rider to close the gap. Crossed the line in 3 hours 57 minutes 29 seconds, a 19-minute PB, 4th in MU23 and 98th overall. Exactly what I’d come for.
Sounds like a daft question, but will you be back next year?
Yes, definitely. The main focus for me is improving the descending. That’s where I can still find a lot of time, and I’ll be setting some clear goals around that over the winter.
Before next year’s 3 Peaks though, I’ve got a full cross season ahead. National Champs, Gralloch again with the aim of qualifying for Worlds or Europeans, and the CiCLE Classic if I’m selected. Then back into road and TT season in the spring, aiming to compete at a higher regional and national level. Dad might even join me on one of the gravel events; we’ll see!
Any final thank-yous and shout-outs?
So many. Massive thank you first to Dean and all the organisers and volunteers. The race simply wouldn’t happen without them.
Huge thanks to everyone at 3 Peaks Cycles, to the shop, and to Dad, Russell, and Mick for getting everything ordered, set up, and ready. Dad was again brilliant as my support crew on race day. Mum and my girlfriend deserve a special mention for coming out to watch and support me, and for putting up with me during the training and the stressful weeks leading up to the race.
Thanks to Coach Adam for setting and adapting all my training, and to all the sponsors who’ve come on board this year: Zone 8 and Precision Fuel and Hydration. And to Russell again for getting the bike absolutely dialled in. Couldn’t have done it without any of you.
Interview by 3 Peaks Cycles
Photos courtesy of Will Scholey & the 3 Peaks Cycles Race team, Bernard Marsden, Catherine Speakman, Trevor Allen and Northern Action Media.
