{{short description|British cyclist (born 1987)}} {{Use dmy dates|date=May 2017}} {{Use British English|date=May 2017}} {{Infobox cyclist | name = Chris Opie | image = Chris Opie.JPG | caption = Opie in 2015 | fullname = Christopher Ryan Opie | birth_date = {{Birth date and age|df=yes|1987|7|22}} | birth_place = Truro, Cornwall, England<ref name="UKYprofile">{{cite web| url=http://www.teamukyouth.co.uk/chris-opie/| title=Team: Chris Opie| publisher=Team UK Youth| accessdate=14 June 2013| url-status=dead| archiveurl=https://archive.today/20130615212300/http://www.teamukyouth.co.uk/chris-opie/| archivedate=15 June 2013| df=dmy-all}}</ref> | height = 1.78 m<ref name="UKYprofile" /> | weight = 73 kg<ref name="UKYprofile" /> | currentteam = {{UCI team code|Saint Piran}} | discipline = Road | role = Rider | ridertype = Sprinter<ref name=canyon>{{cite web |url=https://canyoneisberg.co.uk/chris-opie-retires-from-professional-cycling/ |title=Chris Opie retires from professional cycling|website={{UCI team code|BIK|2018}}|access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref> | amateuryears1 = 1998–2005 | amateurteam1 = www.cyclelogic.co.uk | amateuryears2 = 2006 | amateurteam2 = UC Aubenas | amateuryears3 = 2007 | amateurteam3 = One and All Cycling | amateuryears4 = 2010–2011 | amateurteam4 = Pendragon–Le Col–Colnago | amateuryears5 = 2020 | amateurteam5 = {{UCI team code|Saint Piran|2020}}<ref>{{cite news|url=https://saintpiranprocycling.com/news-stories/2019/11/28/chris-opie-joins-saint-piran-for-2020|title=Steve Lampier moves to Ribble for 2020 as Chris Opie joins Saint Piran|work=Saint Piran|publisher=Saint Piran Limited|date=28 November 2019|accessdate=15 March 2020}}</ref> | proyears1 = 2012–2013 | proteam1 = {{UCI team code|UKY|2012}} | proyears2 = 2014 | proteam2 = {{UCI team code|RCJ|2014}} | proyears3 = 2015–2016 | proteam3 = {{UCI team code|ONE|2015}} | proyears4 = 2017–2018 | proteam4 = {{UCI team code|BIK|2017}}<ref name=canyon /> | proyears5 = 2021– | proteam5 = {{UCI team code|Saint Piran|2021}} | majorwins = }} '''Christopher Ryan Opie''' (born 22 July 1987) is a British cyclist and was formerly a presenter at the Global Cycling Network.<ref name="three">{{cite web |url=https://www.bikebiz.com/landscape/play-sports-network-welcomes-three-new-presenters |title=Play Sports Network welcomes three new presenters |first=Kieran|last=Howells |date=13 Jun 2018 |website= bikebiz.com|publisher= |access-date= |quote=}}</ref><ref name="YTBC-2020">{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=Gje4F8bVweY&ab_channel=ChrisOpie |title=Chris Opie, Cycling Questions Answered, Why I Left GCN |first=Chris|last=Opie |date=1 August 2020 |website= youtube.com |access-date= 6 October 2020}}</ref>
==Career== [[File:ToB 2014 stage 8a - Chris Opie 04.jpg|thumb|left|Opie at the 2014 Tour of Britain.]] Born in Truro, Cornwall, Opie grew up on a small beef and dairy farm. He attended Kea Primary and Penair Secondary Schools in Truro.<ref name="BBCCornwall">{{cite web| url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/cornwall/content/articles/2009/02/06/people_chrisopiediary1_feature.shtml| title=People Features: Chris Opie Diary| publisher=BBC Cornwall| date=6 February 2009| accessdate=14 June 2013}}</ref> He began cycling competitively at the age of 10 and progressed to lead the British National Junior RR Series in 2005.<ref name="BBCCornwall" />
In 2006, Opie raced in France for UC Aubenas and he battled with a slight eating disorder and, in 2007, with Glandular Fever, but returned to racing in 2008, when he was based in the Netherlands and Belgium.<ref name="BBCCornwall" /> He returned from the Netherlands to ride for Pendragon Sports/Le Col/Colnago in 2010,<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/pendragon-sportsle-colcolnago-announce-2010-team-line-up-24130/| title=Pendragon Sports/Le Col/Colnago announce 2010 team line-up| publisher=Bike Radar| date=25 November 2009| accessdate=14 June 2013| archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20131031173000/http://www.bikeradar.com/news/article/pendragon-sportsle-colcolnago-announce-2010-team-line-up-24130/| archive-date=31 October 2013| url-status=dead}}</ref> and when the team wound up at the end of the 2011 season<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/529666/pendragon-le-col-colnago-to-stop-at-end-of-the-season.html| title=Pendragon-Le Col-Colnago to stop at end of the season| author=Andy McGrath| publisher=Cycling Weekly| date=11 August 2011| accessdate=14 June 2013}}</ref> he was signed by Nigel Mansell's {{UCI team code|UKY|2012}}.<ref>{{cite web| url=http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roa20120130-road-Team-UK-Youth-reveal-2012-kit-and-sponsors-at-Gran-Canaria-Camp-0| title=Team UK Youth reveal 2012 kit and sponsors at Gran Canaria Camp| publisher=British Cycling| date=30 January 2012}}</ref>
After Mansell decided to end his financial support of Team UK Youth, Opie signed for {{UCI team code|RCJ|2014}} for the 2014 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.bbc.co.uk/sport/cycling/24662928 |title=Team UK Youth: Chris Opie saddened by team's demise |last=Harlow |first=Phil |date=25 October 2013 |website=bbc.co.uk|access-date=29 October 2013}}</ref> After one season with the team he was announced as part of the inaugural squad for the {{UCI team code|ONE|2015}} team for the 2015 season.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/sport/othersports/cycling/11282195/England-wicketkeeper-Matt-Prior-launches-UCI-Continental-team-ONE-Pro-Cycling.html |title=England wicketkeeper Matt Prior launches UCI Continental team ONE Pro Cycling |last1=Cary |first1=Tom |date=9 December 2014 |website=telegraph.co.uk|accessdate=9 December 2014}}</ref> Opie announced his retirement from competition in May 2018 immediately before his final race, the last round of that year's Tour Series in Salisbury.<ref name=canyon /><ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.telegraph.co.uk/cycling/2018/05/31/canyon-eisberg-team-breeze-crowned-ovo-energy-tour-series-champions/ |title=Canyon Eisberg and Team Breeze crowned OVO Energy Tour Series champions|date=31 May 2018 |website=telegraph.co.uk |access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref> Opie's retirement was a financial decision, following the bankruptcy of one of the team sponsors which led to a halving of riders' salaries.<ref name=Insight>{{cite web |url=https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=HUEyNgDtFD8 |title=The Insight Series Episode 6 - Chris Opie chats racing before & after GCN & why he's coming back|date=27 May 2020 |website=YouTube|access-date=9 September 2020}}</ref>
In January 2019, Opie joined Global Cycling Network as a presenter.<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.globalcyclingnetwork.com/video/chris-opie-meet-the-gcn-presenters| title=Chris Opie: Meet the Presenters| website=Global Cycling Network| date=26 January 2019|access-date=9 September 2020}}</ref> However the transition away from racing was not without difficulty and as Opie described himself, led to a minor breakdown suffering from post-traumatic stress disorder (PTSD).<ref name=Insight /> Opie decided to make a return to racing in 2020, with the {{UCI team code|Saint Piran|2020}} team, despite there being no races held during the period of the COVID-19 pandemic.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.velouk.net/2020/04/11/team-qa-chris-opie-at-saint-piran/ |title=Team Q&A: Chris Opie at Saint Piran|date=11 April 2020|work=VeloUK|publisher=LH Publishing|first=Larry|last=Hickmott|access-date=9 September 2020}}</ref>
==Personal life== Opie and his wife Meike have two children together.<ref name=Insight /> He is the brother-in-law of Dutch former racing cyclist Remco van der Ven.<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.rtvutrecht.nl/sport/1518641/chris-opie-wint-ronde-van-middennederland.html |title=Chris Opie wint Ronde van Midden-Nederland|date=28 August 2016 |website=RTV Utrecht |language=Dutch|trans-title=Chris Opie wins Ronde van Midden-Nederland|access-date=6 June 2018}}</ref>
==Major results== {{div col|colwidth=30em}} ;2010 : 1st GP Al Fatah : Tour of Libya<ref>{{cite web| url=https://news.bbc.co.uk/sport2/hi/other_sports/cycling/8607141.stm| title=Cornish rider Chris Opie in Tour of Libya success| publisher=BBC Sport| date=7 April 2010}}</ref> ::1st Stages 4 & 5 ;2012 : 6th Ster van Zwolle ;2013 : Tour Series ::1st Round 8 – Canary Wharf<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/538776/chris-opie-extends-uk-youth-lead-at-canary-wharf-tour-series.html| title=Chris Opie extends UK Youth lead at Canary Wharf Tour Series| author=Richard Abraham| publisher=Cycling Weekly| date=7 June 2013}}</ref> & Round 10 – Aylsham : 2nd Overall Tour of the Reservoir<ref>{{cite web| url=https://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest/538099/chris-opie-wins-tour-of-the-reservoir-opener.html| title=Chris Opie wins Tour of the Reservoir opener| author=Snowdon Sports| publisher=Cycling Weekly| date=27 April 2013}}</ref> ::1st Stage 1 ;2014 : 2nd National Circuit Race Championships<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/zuvvi/media/bc_files/road/NCRC_14_-_Mens_Championship_Result002.pdf |title=2014 British Cycling National Circuit Race Championship - Hull - July 9 2014: Men's Championship: Official Result|date=9 July 2014 |website=British Cycling|accessdate=16 July 2014}}</ref> : 2nd Circuit of the Fens<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roa20140727-road-Adam-Blythe--NFTO-Pro-Cycling--wins-the-2014-Vericool-for-Schools-Circuit-of-the-Fens-0 |title=Adam Blythe (NFTO Pro Cycling) wins the 2014 Vericool for Schools Circuit of the Fens |last1=Whitehouse |first1=Andy |date=27 July 2014 |website=British Cycling|accessdate=7 August 2014}}</ref> : 2nd Ipswich and Coastal Grand Prix<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/article/roa20140831-road-Road--Yanto-Barker-takes-British-Cycling-Elite-Road-Series-title-0 |title=Yanto Barker takes British Cycling Elite Road Series title |last1=Williams |first1=Huw |date=31 August 2014 |website=British Cycling|accessdate=6 September 2014}}</ref> : 3rd Otley Grand Prix<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roa20140702-road-Blythe-victorious-in-Property-Development-Otley-Grand-Prix-0 |title=Blythe victorious in Property Development Otley Grand Prix |last1=Whitehouse |first1=Andy|date=2 July 2014 |website=British Cycling|accessdate=17 July 2014}}</ref> : 3rd Wales Open Criterium<ref name=woc>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roa20140730-road-Graham-Briggs--Rapha-Condor--wins-Wales-Open-Criterium--while-Alex-Blain--Team-Raleigh--wins-overall-0 |title=Graham Briggs (Rapha Condor) wins Wales Open Criterium, while Alex Blain (Team Raleigh) wins overall series |last1=Whitehouse |first1=Andy |date=30 July 2014 |website=British Cycling |accessdate=5 August 2014}}</ref> : 4th Eddie Soens Memorial<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/103830/53rd-Eddie-Soens-Memorial-Cycle-Race#results |title=53rd Eddie Soens Memorial Cycle Race|website=British Cycling |accessdate=16 June 2014}}</ref> : 4th Grand Prix des Marbriers : 5th Colne Grand Prix<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/road/article/roa20140716-road-Graham-Briggs--Rapha-Condor-JLT--wins-2014-Elite-Circuit-Series-Colne-Grand-Prix-0 |title=Rapha Condor JLT's Graham Briggs wins 2014 Elite Circuit Series Colne Grand Prix |last1=Swarbrick |first1=Guy |date=16 July 2014 |website=British Cycling |accessdate=4 August 2014}}</ref> ;2015 : 1st Stockton Grand Prix : 2nd Perfs Pedal Race<ref>{{cite web |url=http://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/121339/Perfs-Pedal-Race- |title=Perfs Pedal Race|website=British Cycling |access-date=12 February 2015}}</ref> : 2nd Rutland–Melton International CiCLE Classic<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/steele-von-hoff-wins-cicle-classic-without-realising-it-168335 |title=Steele Von Hoff wins CiCLE Classic without realising it|date=26 April 2015 |website=Cycling Weekly |access-date=27 April 2015}}</ref> : 3rd Overall Totnes-Vire Stage Race ::1st Stage 2<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.britishcycling.org.uk/events/details/121283/Totnes-Vire-Stage-Race#results |title=Totnes-Vire Stage Race|website=British Cycling |access-date=4 April 2015}}</ref> : 3rd Chepstow Grand Prix<ref>{{cite web |url=https://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/latest-news/graham-briggs-takes-solo-win-at-chepstow-grand-prix-186176 |title=Graham Briggs takes solo win at Chepstow Grand Prix|date=6 August 2015 |website=Cycling Weekly |access-date=15 August 2015}}</ref> : 7th Overall Ronde van Midden-Nederland ;2016 : 1st 20px Overall Ronde van Midden-Nederland ::1st Stages 1 (TTT) & 2 : 1st Stage 2 Tour de Korea : 2nd Arnhem–Veenendaal Classic : 8th Grand Prix de Denain ;2017 : 7th Ronde van Drenthe ;2018 : 8th PWZ Zuidenveld Tour {{div col end}}
==References== {{Reflist}}
==External links== {{Portal|Cornwall}} {{commons category}} *{{Procyclingstats}} *{{Twitter | chrisopie87 }} *{{Facebook|ChrisOpieCycling}} *[https://www.cyclingweekly.co.uk/news/blog/528937/tour-series-blog-7-chris-opie-in-woking.html Tour Series blog #7: Chris Opie in Woking, Cycling Weekly] 15 June 2011
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{{DEFAULTSORT:Opie, Chris}} Category:1987 births Category:Living people Category:English male cyclists Category:British male cyclists Category:Sportspeople from Truro Category:21st-century English sportsmen