forum shop
Logotype Logotype

Up close with David Bishop

We recently had a few words with British U23 Pro Tom Bishop and today we follow it up with a chat with his twin brother David. David also competes as a Pro triathlete and currently does some French Grand Prix events with his club Rouen. It appears that the Brownlee brothers aren't the only fast siblings in the UK.

Slowtwitch: Well David, it is good to have you here.

David: Thanks, I have never really been interviewed before, this is new to me!

ST: I think you’ll be used to this soon.

David: We will see, hopefully after the Olympics a lot more people in the UK will become interested in our sport. And obviously I hope to improve over this season, so maybe a few people may be interested in what I do, or what my brother and I do.

ST: Along those lines can you share with us how your preparation is going for the upcoming season?

David: It is going quite well thanks, I had a little injury over Christmas but things are going well now. I had my first race a few weeks ago in Morocco. It didn’t go as planned but it was a good first hit out. It got me my first few ITU points – got to start somewhere. Starting to really focus on running now. Hopefully I will be fit when the main part of the season kicks off

ST: So what is next?

David: Next is the first French Grand Prix. I hadn’t planned on racing, as I haven’t done much run speed work, however our team, Rouen is short so I said I’d make the team up. After that it is British University Champs, which I won last year so hopefully I can go and defend my title. Then the season kicks of properly with the key domestic races then onto Continental Cups leading into European U23’s.

ST: Looking back at 2011, how would you describe that season?

David: It was… An experience. I had a bit of bad luck in some important races, punctures, injuries and crashes. Tom blames himself for the crash at Windsor Triathlon national champs – I don’t hold it against him though, it was good to see him win. My season picked up towards the end. But I was first year U23 so for me it was a year just to get used to racing Olympic distance.

ST: Going back further, how did you actually get started with triathlon?

David: We have swum since we were young. My parents ran to a decent standard so it was a natural progression. We got into x-country while at school and it went from there really. Started off racing in regional races where the bike section was on grass, and now I study at Loughborough University while trying to get somewhere in the triathlon world.

ST: We actually heard that your mum and dad were quite fantastic athletes in their own right. They must be very happy to see that some of that prowess has trickled down.

David: Well the whole of my family are pretty sport mad! Without the support of our parents we wouldn’t be where we are today! I know they are proud of us so it is always a good feeling when we do well for them. My dad doesn’t run anymore, but he still loves to watch us race when he can. My step dad is still competing though; he is going for sub 10 hour at Ironman Austria at the age of 55! We drag him out on the bike when we are home; he knows a lot of routes around Derbyshire and the surrounding counties. My mum is always on the phone telling me about her latest cyclocross or time trial event!

ST: With so many eyes on the Olympic Triathlon this summer, is there any love left for folks who won’t be racing there?

David: Yeah of course! We have some of the best triathletes in the world coming from the UK. Potentially Will Clarke, Tim Don, Stu Hayes among others will miss out on the chance to go. This is the same for other countries. Obviously the focus is on London, however there are many more elites racing that know their time isn’t now. So as much as they would like to be there, their focus like mine is to just to get better. Besides, after the Olympics triathlon will be huge in the UK if we collect a few medals, no pressure guys, and this will only benefit us.

ST: Where will you be when the Olympic Triathlon takes place?

David: Tom, myself, and a couple of the other guys we train with may head out the St Moritz. The GB Olympic camp will most likely be there, so when those guys head back to race we may stay out longer. There are races after the Olympics so we don’t want to get caught up in it too much and get unfit. However we will certainly be tuning in! Get a bit of motivation from all of team GB competing in London

ST: Not to speak badly about London, but St. Moritz sounds like a better place to be if you are not racing there anyway.

David: Yeah, I have heard great things! We will have to see what happens. Maybe we can do both. Hopefully where we stay will have the Olympics plastered all over the TV.

ST: Are you and Tom competitive outside of racing?

David: It is hard not to be, naturally you have to be competitive to succeed in sport, and it’s not something you can turn on and off. Maybe you can turn it down in a non-sporting situation. It will always be there lurking in the back of your mind.

ST: With each other too?

David: I wouldn’t say so. People always ask us this, thinking that naturally we will be. However we just want each other to do well. When we are in the same race, the first thing we think of is ‘how well do the other do’. There have been times when I have been better than Tom and now he has that advantage. I guess because we both have been in that position so we know how it feels.

ST: Who can eat more?

David: lol, I honestly don’t know. If we have a big meal, I often start too fast then can’t finish so perhaps Tom.

ST: What kind of food do you enjoy?

David: I love cooking and baking (A bit of a girls thing, especially the baking) I often share the cooking duties with a few of my close friends at Loughborough. Matt Sharp (U23 World Champion) and myself have recently made… lasagna, macaroni cheese, pizza, chili and bangers and mash. Whenever Tom and I cook we always experiment, it’s good fun. Pudding is a vital part of all meals though!

ST: What bike are you riding?

David: Bike Science who help us out have got Boardman to lend me an Air 9.8 for the season. I actually just got a Retul fit the other day for it.

ST: How far off was your fit?

David: Well Andy, the guy who runs the Derby Branch of Bike Science changed a lot. I got a new stem and some new handlebars. In total it took over 2.5 hours. But feels great now!

ST: Other sponsors?

David: We are both Sponsored by Powerbar, and they are really great to us. They provide us with all the nutrition and supplements we need (as most people know this plays a huge role in out sport) but they are second to none. I love the stuff! My race University race team is sponsored by Speedo. I get swim stuff and a tri-suit through them. They have supported us for a few years now and I am really happy with what we get. This last winter Watt Bike lent my house (I live in a house of Triathletes) a bike to use when the weather got bad. This was a new type of training for me, but it really worked!

ST: Anything else we should know?

David: If could be in any other sport It would be F1. Each grand prix me and the other guys based at Loughborough sit down with a pint of pick and mix and watch the whole thing. Just waiting to meet Jenson Button at a triathlon soon!

ST: He might be equally eager to meet you.

David: Haha if only that was the case, I would try and scrounge some pit lane passes from him. He seems like a cool guy. I would like to do a bit of training with him!

ST: Well David, have a great season.

David: Thanks a lot, I am looking forward to it really kicking off!

Tags:

Interview

Start the discussion at slowtwitch.northend.network