Portsmouth North End ace will use Perfs as springboard

Tom Morris would love to ride himself on to the podium at the Portsmouth North End (PNE) Summer Road Race on Saturday, June 4.
Tom Morris, left, in last year's Perfs Pedal. Picture: Eamonn Deane/localriderslocalraces.co.ukTom Morris, left, in last year's Perfs Pedal. Picture: Eamonn Deane/localriderslocalraces.co.uk
Tom Morris, left, in last year's Perfs Pedal. Picture: Eamonn Deane/localriderslocalraces.co.uk

The former University of Portsmouth student is also keen to test his legs and help his club launch a bid for the Portsdown Time Trial League crown.

But before then he has the small matter of the season-opening Perfs Pedal, which takes place on Sunday (11am).

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The PNE rider will be hoping to put a knee injury behind him in the traditional curtain-raiser for the British road race season.

That setback has forced the former Great Britain youth sailor to change tack in his pre-season training.

And the effectiveness of his work will be tested in the 46-mile battle, which features five ascents of Portsdown Hill.

Morris, who was gearing up for a tilt at the South Downs Double this time last year, said: ‘Training has been going well and I’ve got in some solid sessions since Christmas.

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‘Last year I was really trying to build a large endurance base and was doing three hours after work quite regularly. This year I’ve taken a different approach.

‘Some of that is due to the injury. I’m still a bit wary of doing a massive volume of training, so instead I’ve decided to do shorter but more intense interval workouts through the week.

‘I’ve been building the endurance rides since Christmas but I had started my season earlier and had already done three circuit races by now.

‘If I could put in a podium anywhere this season, I would like it to be the Portsmouth North End Summer Road Race.

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‘I’ve also managed to borrow a time trial bike for 2016. It’s a discipline I’ve not really done before but I hope to help Portsmouth North End win the Portsdown Time Trial League.

‘And if the knee holds up I might have a go at some longer distances.’

Click here for more build-up to the Perfs Pedal.