i-Team ace relishes baptism of fire at Perfs
The 18-year-old i-Team talent will make his senior debut in the 74km battle – locking horns with some of the best domestic racers over five ascents of Portsdown Hill.
BIKE Channel Canyon – Britain’s newest professional team – have named reigning champion Rory Townsend and 2012 winner Chris Opie in their line-up.
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Hide AdThey also feature Rob Partridge – runner-up in 2013 and a veteran of 10 Tour of Britains – and last year’s second Mitchell Webber in a power-packed squad.
Added to them are a dangerous Nuun Sigma Sport team, which includes 2000 winner Justin Hoy, and other contenders such as former Raleigh GAC rider Steven Roach.
It all makes for a baptism of fire for Clark.
However, the Petersfield-based rider is relishing the opportunity after a positive pre-season.
He said: ‘I’m feeling pretty good and everything is in place for Sunday.
‘I have done a bit of everything over the winter.
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Hide Ad‘I have done some cyclocross and a bit of mountain bike racing, just to switch it up a little bit and keep things interesting.
‘I know it is going to be a hard race, that’s for sure.
‘It is such a high standard, I’ll just have to go out there, give it everything and see what comes of it.’
Clark was a member of i-Team’s maiden junior race squad last season.
He raced the Junior CiCLE Classic and National Junior Road Race Championship in a campaign which saw him rise from a category three to category two licence.
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Hide AdClark added: ‘It is my first year at Perfs, so I am not totally sure what to expect.
‘I will speak with Richard Pearman, our team manager, and get his views on it.
‘But I think a lot is going to depend on getting a good start and making sure I don’t let any gaps go early on.
‘The first climb and then along the top of Portsdown Hill are where the gaps will probably appear.
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Hide Ad‘Hopefully I can get a finish – and fairly well up in the bunch. I would be happy with that.
‘I know a few other lads who have done it before.
‘It’s a tough race but I have prepared for it well.
‘I know the circuit, so there’s a bit of home advantage.
‘I have been able to ride it a few times and have done some decent sessions at race pace around there.
‘So hopefully that will count in my favour.’