There is nothing better than tradition at Christmas. Our team riders give us their Christmas day best bits and gift ideas.
If there was ever a time of year for sticking to tradition, it is the festive holiday season, be it a boxing day walk or everyone sitting down for a vintage episode of Only Fools and Horses and of course the present giving. Pre-lunch, post-lunch, as soon as dawn breaks, or even secret Santa, everyone has a time to do the official exchange.
Before we get to all that tradition, there is the simple matter of figuring out what to stuff in your loved one's stockings. To give you some seasonal inspiration, we asked pro riders from JLT Condor to tell us about their big day.
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RUSSELL DOWNING, TEAM LEADER
What do you want for Christmas?Anti-ageing cream and some sunshine
Best thing in the selection box?CADBURY CRUNCHIE
You are only allowed one drink with your Christmas dinner, what is it?A cask ale |
Russell Downing's gift list: "Look after your skin and it will look after you. Therefore a pot of anti-ageing cream will do nicely. When you ride in extreme conditions of lashing rain and bitter wind, your face takes a beating.
Training in Yorkshire is brilliant, but the sun isn't a frequent visitor. If Santa could rustle up some sunshine, I can get my Oakley Radar EVs on and catch the rays."
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ED CLANCY, TEAM PURSUIT GOLD MEDALLIST |
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What do you want for Christmas?Cat biscuits and a new phone screen
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Best thing in a selection box?Mars Bar |
Favourite movie to watch at Christmas?Gremlins |
Do you prefer turkey breast or turkey leg?Turkey breast |
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What will your grandma buy you?Good quality socks |
Favourite festive food?Roast Potatoes |
You are only allowed one drink with your Christmas dinner, what is it?Milk |
Triple gold medallist, Ed Clancy, has a fairly simple wish list. Can you blame him? After scooping his third Olympic gold at the Rio 2016, Christmas gifts might seem a bit small fry for the track sensation.
"I'd like a big bag of cat biscuits for my feline friend, Boris. After all, Christmas is about giving. And a new screen for my mobile phone. I seem to break them almost every week."
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IAN BIBBY, GC CONTENDER
Best thing in the selection box?GALAXY RIPPLE
Best bit of Christmas dinner?Pigs in blankets |
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What do you want for Christmas?Coffee machine and new camera
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"It is a cycling cliche, but a coffee machine", says new signing, Ian Bibby, "and a camera to capture all the interesting places I'll be racing next year with the team... Australia, Taiwan, America, the list goes on."
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JOHN HERETY, TEAM MANAGER |
JON MOULD, MASTER OF THE TOUR SERIES |
John Herety is no stranger to the finer things in life. His ability to seek out the best quality foods, drink and even chef's knives, means his team riders are always immaculately presented on the start line. He'd like a tangerine in his stocking and to watch a film by the Marx brothers on Christmas day.
Jon Mould had a sensational season, almost making the Tour Series look too easy, but we all know the Welshman gave his all to make every win count.
"I love speed, riding at speed and watching it. A weekend ticket to the Italian Moto GP on the Mugello circuit would be the perfect Christmas gift, and a Ferrari Enzo drive to the race would be the icing on the Christmas cake."