4 Gears
I always think about gears for a race. I won’t accept compromises on which way around my brakes are, either – I have a right-hand front brake and that’s the way it is.
5 Wheels
Wheel choice is another thing; I chose what some thought to be stupid wheels for some hilly races. I raced a road bike in the Philippines and Alpe D’huez, for example, and some people thought I was nuts but I knew I was going to be quicker on those courses, on that bike, because of the descending and the climbing, and the weight issue. It’s trusting what I’ve learnt. I’ve also learnt to go into races with humility because you never know what might happen. Racing is so unpredictable.