2020 WRAP-UP: MIKE WOODS

As the sun sets on the year, we catch up with our partners from the pro peloton to reflect on a year no like other and look ahead to what’s in store for 2021.

TSC: So Mike, how would you summarise the 2020 season in three words?

MW: Down and up.

The crash in Paris-Nice obviously shook up your season quite a lot, but then Covid gave you a good chance to recover. Did you set new goals after the crash or did they stay the same with the racing pushed back?

Yes and then no. Immediately after crashing at Paris Nice I was contemplating retiring. The crash impacted me as much mentally as physically, so my goals post crash initially changed. However, as Covid became something that would ultimately derail the entire cycling calendar, I was able to recover and start getting my confidence back. By the time I felt like I was ready to race again, the lockdowns had been lifted and the new UCI calendar had been revealed, and my goals, really, went unchanged. The timing of all of it was pretty incredible.

You were on great form coming into the Vuelta having won a stage and worn the jersey in Tirreno-Adriatico prior. Was the Vuelta stage win the icing on the cake for you, or had that always been a goal?

I was really proud of my Vuelta win. My main goal, once I had learned that I was doing the race, was to win a stage. So to have won, in the manner in which I won, was pretty special.

What was your personal highlight of the season on the bike?

I think both my wins at Tirreno and the Vuelta were pretty special, but I think I am most proud of taking my first World Tour leader’s jersey.

What was your personal highlight of the season off the bike?

Definitely the birth of my daughter, Max!

Has having Max this year changed your training schedule? How does it feel to be a dad in general?

It has changed my schedule a bit, but not a ton. With the help of Elly I was really able to maintain a heavy training program, however it did mean I had less time to chew the fat at my mid-ride coffee stop.

In terms of how it feels being a dad; it is everything. It is amazing and it is challenging. In the span of a few minutes you can go from feeling cracked to feeling the most profound love. I think, for me, it has been particularly interesting because I have lived one of the most selfish lifestyles for years - that of a professional athlete. A pro athlete’s life is completely centered around themselves, how they are feeling, and how to optimize their performance. But a screaming 4 month old doesn’t care about whether you are getting an optimal sleep for your interval session tomorrow.

I have actually really enjoyed this change in perspective, and living more for somebody else. 

More generally, what is the most memorable race/stage of the year, and why?

This has been one hell of a year for bike racing fans. In my mind it provided some of the best racing. There were many exciting and intriguing races, but the Pogacar TT at the Tour has to be the most memorable. The way he beat Roglic to take yellow on the penultimate day of the race… I got chills watching that.

Who was the stand out rider of 2020 for you, and why?

There were numerous standout riders Van Aert, Pogacar, Alaphilipe etc. however I would have to say it was Roglic. He came 2nd at the Tour, won the Vuelta, won Liege, won 5 grand tour stages, and a boat load of other races. It was a season for the ages.

Who was the stand out team of 2020 for you, and why?

Definitely Jumbo Visma. They were dominant in so many ways. It wasn’t just that they had two of the best riders in the World Tour this year in Van Aert and Roglic, but they had wins from several other riders. Their depth is incredible. It will be interesting to see how dominant they are next year though, with all of the new strong signings at Ineos.

What have you been doing during the off-season? Away from cycling, what are you most excited to spend your time doing? 

Organizing! I am back in Canada at the moment. I hadn’t been back for over a year, so I have spent most of my days taking care of logistics. As a bike racer you often neglect a lot of administrative stuff over the course of the year, as you are so focused on training and you are constantly fatigued. The off-season, I find, is often a time to get caught up on all of those things you neglected over the year.

How are you feeling about the change of team for 2021? Will you have a specific role at Israel Start-Up Nation or are you going to have a bit of free rein?

I am really excited to be racing for ISN. I have spent my entire World Tour career riding for one team, and I think the change will provide a change in perspective, and a new source of motivation.  I am also really excited to be working on the same team with my coach Paulo Saldanha (he is the head of performance at ISN).

I signed on with ISN with the explicit goal of tackling global championships (like the Olympics), Monuments, stage hunting at the Grand Tours, and supporting Chris Froome at the Tour. So I guess it will be predominately free rein for much of the calendar, and then working for Froome, and even Dan Martin, at the Tour.

What are your goals, and what are you looking forward to, in 2021?

My biggest goal for 2021 is the Olympics. It is a great course for me, and one I believe I have a shot at medalling on. Beyond that, my other goal is to continue my progression in this sport, and perform as consistently as I did in 2020.  

2020 customer sUrvey: Your feedback is invaluable

It’s a natural time for us all to take stock and reflect on a rollercoaster year gone by, appreciating the role cycling plays in our lives and to start making plans for the year ahead.

Our 2020 Customer Survey consists of five short sections, and should take approximately 5-10 minutes to complete. As a small token of appreciation for sharing your time and thoughts, upon completion you will receive a 10% code to use on your next purchase of any TSC branded product. You will also be entered into a prize draw to win one of three TSC online vouchers, worth €100, €200 and €300.