One Life Racing Team - Meet the Team

The Wearwell Cycle Company are delighted to announce a partnership with London-based fixed gear racing team One Life Cycle. Wearwell will act as the official clothing and accessories provider for the 2018 season, which includes competing in the high octane Red Hook Crit series. In addition Wearwell will help support One Life’s broader aims within the cycling community, specifically their work to engage with children in London’s tougher, inner-city areas.

The three strong team consists of One Life co-founder Mat Watson and young up-and-coming British riders James Ambrose Parish and Georg Mew Jenson. The team will take part in races across the globe including New York, London, Milan and Barcelona.

Meet the Team

Mat Watson

Watson started cycling seriously in 2009 following several years as a personal trainer. “I soon found that cycling became something that gave significant physical and mental benefits.” So much so, that 6 years ago Mat quit his job and became a bike messenger, taking part in street races in his spare time. Before he knew it, he was on the startline of the Red Hook Crit.
After several years riding in different squads, Watson realised that he could go a step further and create his own racing team which he did along with close friend and fellow cyclist Germain Burton, now riding for JLT Condor.
“We set up the team so that we could race, but we both agreed that there wasn’t really anyone in the Red Hook, fixed gear scene that was giving back to the community. A lot of the focus was on personal gain and some riders seemed more worried about how much free kit or bikes they could get by riding in the race, which didn’t really resonate with me or Germain. We were much more interested in trying to give back, which is how the community aspect started.”
Under the One Life platform Mat and Germain have already begun to arrange different events throughout the year and there are plans for a kids race at Herne Hill Velodrome later in the summer. “If through these events we can get one or two guys interested in racing under our mentorship that would be amazing.”
“I think it’s important that people remember why they ride bikes, and that’s to have fun."

James Ambrose Parish

Cycling is something that runs in the blood for Ambrose Parish, the 19 year old cyclist from Muswell Hill in North London. “My dad used to race as a youth at Velo Club Londres, so introduced me to the sport at Lee Valley Youth Cycling Club.” James’s initial experience in competitive cycling got off to a less than auspicious start “my first race was at the Ford racing test track when I was 9 years old.....I got dropped.”

Aims for the season ahead are varied. “Initially I’d like to make it into the final at the Red Hook Crits and get at least top 30.” In addition to competing for One Life, Ambrose Parish also rides for TBW Bottecchia Wigmore – an under 23 development team racing domestically and on the continent. “I’d also like get my Elite license on the road, Finish the Rutland CiCLE Classic UCi as well as win a few fixie crits”, all whilst balancing the demands of a sports science degree in Cycling Performance.

Georg Mew Jensen

Eighteen year old Georg Mew Jensen from East London, has been riding a bike ever since he can remember. “I started road racing when I was 9 and went on to compete in Cyclocross, Mountain biking and Track events at the Velodrome.”
After impressing for several years as a junior, last season Mew Jensen was selected to join HMT with JLT Condor. As those who follow or compete in races can attest, road cycling is anything but straightforward. “Unfortunately I suffered a major crash in my first race of the year- Kuurne- Brussels- Kuurne, which cost me recovery time and lost me some confidence riding in bunch situations.”
Since then Georg has been going through a re-building phase. “It has been a slow journey [since the crash] re-gaining my confidence but my determination had me racing at the Junior Tour of Flanders; against 150+ Juniors all fighting for the win. I managed to keep my head on whilst racing in Poland in a hectic UCI stage race- and finished 9th. I also rode the U23 Cup at the London 6 Day Madison where I finished in top 5 position with my teammate from Denmark.”
The early season fixed gear races are just a some of the targets for the teenager during a packed calendar which includes competing in the British Junior National Road Series, Kuurne-Brussels-Kuurne, Junior Tour of Flanders and the London 6 Day.
“My aim is to adjust my riding and develop my road skills to compete in Criterium races on a fixed gear bike.”

To read the original press release click here