It was last December when Velo
Nation last spoke to Guernsey’s Tobyn Horton. He had just signed for UK Continental team Motorpoint, under the management of ex-Peace Race and Milk Race yellow jersey, Phil Griffiths.
But the doubt about which jersey many riders will be wearing for season 2012 isn’t just confined to Europe.
Horton raced for five years on the tough Belgian kermis scene, and by 2009 was at a level where he could win races like Wambeek-Ternat.
His performances caught the eye of Magnus Backstedt and Martin McCrossan, the men behind Anglo/Swedish Team Sprocket.
The high light of the Team Sprocket’s 2010 campaign was Swede Alex Wetterhall’s victory in Ireland’s FBD Rás, where Horton played a leading role in defense of the yellow jersey.
For 2011 Horton’s role was again as a team player; for Motorpoint’s big finishing Johnny McEvoy and British Premier Calendar series winner, Ian Bibby.
But despite a highly successful season for the men on the Pinarellos, nothing is sealed for 2012; Horton currently having no ride for next season; the rumour mill is rife with tales of Motorpoint men trawling through their contacts lists in search of an opportunity in 2012.
VeloNation caught up with Horton upon his return to Guernsey after a late season foray to Belgium.
VeloNation: Which rides are you happiest with in 2011?
Tobyn Horton: Probably the last stage of the Tour of Britain, I was seventh in the big sprint. My family and friends were over and the crowds were mega.
I was also pleased with second place on stage five of the Ras; I was away in the first move of the day but we were caught, then I went away again in a group of four or five which was just swamped on the line but I held on for second.
In the UK, most of my energies were taken up looking after McEvoy and Bibby, moving them up and protecting them – at the Tour Doon Hame for example, I did a lot of work to help Johnny McEvoy to his two stage wins.
VN: Any lows?
TH: Puncturing in my favourite race of the year – the Rutland [Britain’s answer to Paris-Roubaix, with farm road sectors, ed.] I was in the winning group of 26 and there were only 2.5 kilometres to go – I had good legs and was very disappointed.
VN: How was the Motorpoint race programme?
TH: Good, we rode a variety of races; the Cinturion Tour on Majorca, the Vuelta Ciclista a Leon in Spain, The Ras in Ireland, the Trofeo Agostinho in Portugal – with the highlight being the Tour of Britain.
I took myself over to Belgium at the end of the year and got some top five placings; I just missed out with fourth in my last race, the Memorial Fred Debruyne, it would have been nice to have finished on the podium.
VN: Was the Tour of Britain a good experience?
TH: I loved it, particularly towards the end when the crowds were huge – every single town the pavements were lined; the bunch was riding tempo so it was possible to take it all in. And of course, the London finale was amazing.
It was a pity that stage two had to be cancelled, but given the weather conditions it was the only decision they could make.
VN: Isn’t the UK race programme a bit ‘light?’
TH: Yes and no; we had stage races abroad – which you need to ride because Rapha and Endura are doing that and if you don’t then you’ll be disadvantaged.
But it’s easy to hop across to Belgium and race in the pro kermises if there’s a gap to fill in the calendar.
VN: How much do you see of Phil Griffiths?
TH: He was at some of the UK races but we saw most of him at the Tour of Britain, he’s good at motivating the team and pulling us together. But it’s Malcolm Elliott who does the directing if Phil’s not around.
VN: Where are you based in the UK?
TH: York, I share a flat with my team mates Pete Williams and James Sampson; the local roads are good for training and much of the UK race programme is in the north.
VN: Do you miss the Belgian race scene?
TH: I miss the Belgian style of racing; it’s very different to racing in the UK – but it’s nice to be living in the UK.
There are pluses and minuses to both options – coming from Guernsey, you have to make a choice where you’re going to live and race.
VN: What about 2012; do you have an agent?
TH: I don’t have an agent, no – next season is uncertain for me, I’m not sure if Motorpoint is continuing or not.
Things are getting tighter every year, the economy is obviously in bad shape and prospective sponsors have more to think about than putting money in to cycling.
The fact that World Tour and Pro Continental teams are merging or folding doesn’t help, further down the ladder.
VN: And is it possible to make a realistic living as a UK professional?
TH: The UK scene has been buoyant enough; and despite what people might say, the races aren’t easy – they’re very unpredictable – but yes, it is possible to make a decent living.
There aren’t big teams which can control a race, although it does happen – but if a break goes and the major teams are represented then the race can be over early.
The Beaumont Trophy went like that; a select group went early and the race was over.
As I said earlier, you have to ride the Euro stage races to gain that core strength – you can see it with Endura.
VN: What’s your plan for the winter?
TH: Find a contract!
I’ll be staying at home to recharge my batteries; I’ll get back on the bike in early November to get ready for the training camps.
I’d be happy to ride with a European or UK team; I’ll just have to see what transpires.