Claire Rushworth
Claire Rushworth
Specialized Factory Racing
Team Soigneur
Name: Claire Rushworth
Age: Older than I once was, younger than I’ll be!!!
Nationality: Good lord I’m British
Height: 5 ft 4inch, short eh!
Favourite Movie(s): Cyrano De Bergerac with Gerard Depardieu (The French Version with subtitles). Some Like it Hot is another, fabulous film, Jack Lemon and Tony Curtis. I love old films. There is nothing nicer than a rainy afternoon and a black and white film
Musical Interest(s): Very varied, most things,
Bikes: I am just about to receive a Specialized Allez Road Bike, which I am looking forward to.
Nickname: Bloke bird!!!! (The team have only learned this in this interview and I have a feeling it is going to stick!!!). Susi sometimes calls me Lady Marmalade (must be Swiss humour) it always makes me laugh, I thinks it’s very endearing
How long are you working with Specialized and how did you end up working for the company?
Two seasons now. I was in the right place at the right time, or was that the wrong place?? I ended up just helping out at The Sea Otter Classic last year and I had such a blast, everybody was just so fabulous I decided to stay on!
How did you end up working in this industry and as one of the key players in The Specialized MTB Team?
I guess cycling is in my blood. I come from a cycling family and bizarrely this is a job that I always wanted to do. I actually qualified in massage in 1989!
I raced at international level on the track, which included representing England at the Commonwealth Games (I placed sixth) and Great Britain at The World Championships. I raced the World Cup circuit on the track, I also won five times National Championship Titles (and too many Silvers!!) and held the British National Record in the sprint.
My mother was eleven times National Champion on the road and track and made a comeback at sixty for The Masters World Championships in Manchester, she won World Titles and set World Records! As you can tell I was raised with cycling.
I worked on The British Pro scene for awhile and with regional teams such as The Yorkshire and Humberside centre of excellence. In the late 90’s I started working with the British National team which I continued until 2002, at which point I took a job as a talent team coach, which was a new incentive with British Cycling.
I supposed being in the right place at the right time led me to this great opportunity with Specialized.
How was your first season (2006) with Specialized?
The first season was really interesting in that I was never in a mountain biking environment before, especially the gravity environment, so it was definitely an education. I also appreciated the work load in comparison to looking after a six man road team, during a Stage Race.
It was also an eye opener to see how absorbed the riders were in the technical side of the sport and I was especially impressed by Christoph who is such a professional rider. He is probably the most professional rider I have ever worked with and I have developed a lot of respect and admiration for him.
What is your outlook on the team for 2008?
Very positive. I hope for a successful season for the team . This is a good group of people who all get on really well together, this makes life easier! I know the riders better , so I know their traits and what they expect. I am looking forward to preparing nice continental lunches and sitting in the sun as we are now, I hope to get Bob’s to do the washing up!
What do you do for fun?
I love riding my bike and I like motorcycles (I don’t have one at the moment unfortunately!). I used to drink for fun but I have given that up!!!! I like old movies and a good book but not together or I can’t concentrate well on either!
Love life?
I am giving it the fifth!
Other Interests?
I like photography, gardening and I like camping and general outdoor stuff, so this job is very suited to my traits.
If you were not where you are not what would you be doing?
I think I would be Ryan’s First Lady! (you need to have read Ryan’s interview to get that). Seriously I think I would still be coaching with The British Cycling Team and I would have a motorcycle again a very nice garden, vegetable plot and a greenhouse full of tomatoes.
