180 Seconds with Anthony McCrossan
19th February 2015
At the recent Ride the Trafalgar Way launch we turned the evening host and legend Anthony McCrossan from interviewer into the interviewee for 180 seconds! Given his impressive track record in the sport of cycling, and breadth of knowledge and expertise, this is a 'must read' for any cycling fan.
So Ant, we would love to know what your top three most memorable moments in cycling are?
There are three from commentating that stick in my mind clearly. Calling Mark Cavendish winning the world championships in Copenhagen was pretty special. It was one of those incredible days and I still get goosebumps thinking about it. My second is a silver medal for Britain in the Olympic Games. I can still recall Lizzie Armitstead racing against Marianne Vos for the win at London 2012. I was the speaker on the finish line, it was pouring with rain, the crowd were going crazy. My third is my first time watching cycling. 1982, world road race championships on television. Its what got me hooked on the sport.
What’s your proudest moment in your cycling career?
Commentating with the legendary Daneil Mangeas at the 2014 Tour De France. I grew up listening to his voice at the Tour and then one day in Yorkshire last year I was sitting next to him. It was an emotional, proud moment I will never forget.
What ride, anywhere in world, is still on your bucket list to do (apart from the Trafalgar Way obviously)?
The Stelvio for a mountain and I would like to ride the Steratti (white roads) of the Strade Bianche.
Who are your top GB guy and girl road cyclists that we need to keep our eye on over the next year or so?
I think we are about to see Luke Rowe emerge as a classics rider, if he is given a chance at Sky. He is strong, classy and has a huge amount of potential. Long term for women - keep an eye on Anna Christian. The way she rode the commonwealth games and then rode for Lizzie in the worlds was pretty special.
If you could interview any cyclist you wanted tomorrow (dead or alive) who would it be and why?
That’s a great question. Guiseppi Saronni and Mandy Jones together. I would like to recount their experiences of winning the worlds in 1982 and link it to me watching and getting so excited that it became my life.
Finally, with the sun rising on the 2015 season what’s the race you are most looking forward to going to this year and why?
Milano San Remo. I love the race. Its the first monument of the year that I am the speaker of. I love everything about it, the length of the race, the way it builds, the crowds, the people I work with, the riders. Not long now!
You can find out more about Ant via his website - www.cyclevox.com, or by following him on Twitter