Interview Ffion Drake

The revelation in cyclocross so far, on British soil & abroad. After taking her first ever 2 victories at British home soil, she also suprised by a twelwth place at the though parcours of Overijse in Belgium. Ffion Drake managed to finish ahead of established names like Blanka Vas & Anna Kay in her first ever race abroad. In her current form, you might spot her more often, this Winter. Here, you can get to know the 26 years old British rider better through this interview 

You had your best start ever this season. Did you change something from previous years to reach this level?

Yes, this season has definitely been different to previous seasons! In fact, I’d say the whole year has been quite different. After some of last years performances, I realised that with a bit of dedication I could be competitive at the front of national series cyclocross. After cyclocross season came to a close I sat down with my husband (who is also my coach) to make a plan to go all in for cyclocross this year. I didn’t actually change a lot in terms of training, I was just more consistent throughout the summer with banking the hours, eating well, sleeping well etc. I did a few mountain bike races and one gravel race to help my technical ability, but limited racing. I have also struggled with injury to my knee the past couple of years which had hindered my training, this year we have found ways to manage this best as possible and hopefully now have the right balance!

Overseas, you finished ahead of world class riders on the hard parcours of Overijse. Did this race bring you more motivation to do more big races abroad?

Definitely!! Overijse was my first ever international cyclocross race (not in the UK) and it was just the most incredible atmosphere. My inexperience technically and tactically shone through when racing amongst the seasoned riders, and I’m incredibly excited to try and close those gaps by continuing to race and learn from them.

How did you feel when you won your first pro races this season?

My first wins came at the British National Trophy series, where my best result up until now was a 5th! I knew off the back of the hope supercross series I was in decent shape and one of my goals of the season was to hold the leaders jersey for the British national series at least once, so to achieve that was an amazing feeling!

What are your favourite kinds of tracks?

I think I’m still learning what type of rider I am- so it’s difficult to say exactly. But generally I have classed myself as a rider who prefers a very power heavy course, so probably flat and heavy going or hilly!

What are your ambitions in the sport?

That’s a good question- and honestly, it’s something I’ve not really thought a huge amount about. I’m someone who likes to take things as they come- I find making too many plans or declaring big goals quite overwhelming and stressful! I can be honest and say, coming into this year I wanted to arrive in good but not great shape, and continue to build throughout the season and see where things took me. I have a plan a, b, c etc! So I guess what I’m saying in a roundabout way is, I’m still taking it all as it comes, however the long term goal is to be competitive at the highest level of international cyclocross.

How did you discover cyclocross?

It was actually my husband that got me into it! He’s raced cyclocross competitively for years, and when we met a few years ago I watched a few of his races and decided I wanted to have a go! My first race was a local league in January 2022 on a rigid frame mountain bike - I think from that moment on- sliding around a muddy field in the freezing cold and wet, I fell in love! That same year I got my first cyclocross bike and raced my first season- it was also my first year working as a doctor, and combining the two proved quite difficult!! Since then it’s been a bit of a rollercoaster ride, but I wouldn’t have it any other way!

The UK has its strongest cyclocross generation now since Helen Wyman & Nikki Brammeier, 10 years ago. Is it a coincidence or is there more to it?

Wow, has it been that long?! I think it’s multifactorial, a combination of a lot of different things. We did have the likes of Evie Richards and Harriet Harnden, but they took a step away to focus on MTB- I think since then perhaps we’ve been waiting for the younger generation to come through. Obviously Anna Kay has been around quite a while now, competing and getting results at the highest level and now with Zoe Backstedt and Cameron mason getting huge results the last couple of years there are now riders to idolise again- for riders in the UK to be watching UK riders be competitive with the best in the world it can be incredibly motivating to get out there and give it a go!

We also see a lot of riders who combine disciplines now- Mathieu van der Poel, Tom Pidcock, Puck Pieterse, Zoe Backstedt etc. We have a lot of strong road riders from the UK now who combine disciplines too- so that strength that is built from road racing naturally trickles into CX. We also have domestic riders making jumps to go and race abroad as it is a lot easier these days- so I think it’s more accessible to race abroad, and that brings on riders 10 fold. Also, in the UK we have ride for Charlie and EvoDevo who help fund U23 and junior riders to race abroad, again with that experience comes motivation and results!

How will your schedule look like, this Winter?

Given that I’m currently leading the National Trophy Series in the UK, I’ll likely continue with the series to try and win the overall- something I’ve not done before. I plan to make a few more trips out to Belgium- the main trip will likely be in December, where I hope to do multiple races to try and gain some more experience in the hopes it will bring me on as a rider! It will then be all eyes on National Champs come January- and see where it takes me from there!