Gary Hand
(handinator)
Born: 01 Sep 1981
Hometown: Livingston
Four most significant cycling achievements?
10th - British Elite Road Race Championships, 3rd - Tour of Cameroun UCI 2.2 Stage 1, 1st - "Le George Pompidou" (E/Nat) single day event (France), Silver medallist Scottish Elite Road Race Championships (twice).
Best moment on bike?
I've had so many but I've narrowed it to two. One is the first time i rode the Tour of Britain back in 2004, because it was on home soil and I was racing with riders I had grown up watching on TV like Michele Bartoli. The second has to be as an amateur living in a small village called Durtol near Clermont Ferrand in France for 2 seasons which was an amazing experiance.
Person who has had the most influence on your cycling career and why?
Easily my dad, or as most people know him as Jimmy. He's always been there for the high's and the lows since my career started when i was 14. But I'm sure he'd have been living the life of luxury in a million pound house if I didn't get into cycling!
Rider you most revere/admire and why?
There's so many out there, obviously what Lance has done in cycling is special but for me it is defo Michele Bartoli. He was a single-day race specialist, winning three of the five monument's of cycling, as well as winning the UCI world cup in '97 and '98... But even if he had not won a thing I love his attacking gutsy riding style of all or nothing and giving it everything to win.
What was your first ever bike?
Mmmmm... A red tractor with a trailer does that count?
Your most "impressive" injury?
Dislocated shoulder for nearly 4 hours.
What is your favourite route?
Leaving my house in Livingston and heading out to Biggar, up Tala reservoir (a pretty steep climb), round the Gordon Arms M.T.T course over to Innerleithen and back to Edinburgh and finally back to my house.
If you were not a pro-racer what would you be doing right now?
Laying by the beach drinking a pena-colada.
What is your hidden talent?
I can be thrown out a Chinese buffet for eating too much and I can ride a uni-cycle if that counts..?
What is your favourite food?
My girlfriend Laura first introduced me to a style of Japanese cuisine called Teppanyaki.. Google it and find one locally its delicious..!
Do you have a particular lucky ritual before a race or any other quirks or superstitions?
Your going to cringe here... It's pretty sad actually but in a big important race i like to have brand new white socks on!
Whats your aim for 2010 and beyond?
To create a good image associated with Endura as a brand. We all want to make Endura Racing the most successful team in the UK. I enjoy riding with my team mates trying to win as many races as we can, on a personal note I would like to win a round of the Premier Calendar and ride out my skin to have the KOM jersey for a stage in the Tour Of Britain. And oh yeah, enjoy myself!!!
What does being in Endura Racing mean to you?
Opportunity. Opportunity. Opportunity.