Altra come on board as a sponsor

As an athlete I was very lucky to be supported by both Reebok and Avia who provided me with fast run shoes and training shoes.  Nothing to do with their excellent footwear but as I got older and raced and trained more (and harder!) I developed foot problems and had a long bout of Plantar Fasciitis which, in a way signaled the end of my Duathlon days.

Now that I spend just as much time at races but mostly standing still with a mic in hand my feet could be suffering more than ever with the constant pressure. Thankfully not though. A few years ago I discovered that what they needed was to be totally relaxed and on a zero drop platform. So basically I needed a protective cushioned trainer that has a super wide, toes-splayed toe box and no difference in height from front to back. And that's where Altra come in. Their shoes are absolutely the best at doing this whether it means standing still at races or running in them.  this summer season I'll be commentating and presenting at races in the Altra Instinct 4.5s and my feet are very much looking forward to it! Find out more about them here https://www.altrafootwear.co.uk/

British Cycling Nationals Season underway in Torquay

March saw me get my commentary of HSBC British Cycling National series events under way with the brilliant new Riviera Classic In Torbay, Devon.

Of course, as always, the photo I've taken above was at a quiet time early on in the day before the crowds (and sun!) really got going but it gives you an idea of the fantastic setting we had on the English Riviera.

Massive congratulations to Mid Devon CC and Mike Gibson for hosting such a great days racing and the club for  also having the forethought to pout on a full day's support races on the Saturday at the excellent Torbay VeloPark. It meant I got in a full 16 hrs commentary to harden my vocal chords for the long season ahead too.

Here are some clips of The finish of the Youth A boys race won by local (to me) lad Oli Stockwell of Welwyn Wheelers

Commentary / Event MC Plans for 2018

Its been an exciting winter talking to race and event organisers and planning the next steps for my commentary career. Here's what 2018 is looking like currently with some very exciting new ventures (which I'm not allowed to talk about ;-) ) yet to be added...

if you're interested in my services, click the commentary tab above and get in touch jez@jezcox.com

Click HERE for my current 2018 plans

My exciting project is now very much a reality.

Oaklands Wolves Cycling Academy is the first and only full time junior racing academy in the UK and I'm massively proud to say I got it started and that it's now ticking away nicely. All this when so many thought it wasn't possible.

We're now taking our second wave of applications to the academy and the trial (And open day) will be in February so get in there.   email jez.cox@oaklands.ac.uk to find out more 

Catching up : Minehead Festival of Wheels brought Summer to a close

It's been a really busy summer of live event commentary and Autumn has been just as busy. Here's a clip of some live commentary from the Minehead Festival of Wheels in early September

Tour Series : Great Times

I'm currently on Tour nationally with Sweetspot, working as live commentator on the Tour Series and having an absolutely brilliant time learning from the great Carl Lawrenson and building both my commentary repertoire and experience of adapting to unforeseen circumstances as they unfold in each of the races.

For more on my fledgling commentary career click the COMMENTARY tab above.

I'll do my best to write a blog report at the end of it all if I can squeeze it in!
Do follow my tweets @jezcox to the right here for all my latest from the #tourseries

Katie Archibald and Eileen Roe give me some words just after the win