Is the first time you have had support from the Dave Rayner Fund?

Yes, having graduated from university last June this is the first year I’ve been able to concentrate on cycling full time.

What is your cycling history?

As a young teenager I was long distance runner however after being plagued by injuries I took up cycling as a means of cross training. A few club time trials later and I had well and truly caught the racing bug so decided to enter the National TT champs which just so happened to be on my doorstep. A victory in the junior girls category cemented my decision to switch sports and so in 2013 I began road racing. The rest as they say is history!

What team are you joining in 2017?

For 2017 I’ll be riding with the Belgium UCI World Tour Team Lares Waowdeals.

Tell us a bit about your team.

Having formed in 2016 this year will be the second season for Lares. Ranked 13th in the UCI standings means that we have a great calendar with lots of World Tour racing which provides some exciting opportunities.

What are the details of the team Website/FaceBook/ Twitter and Instagram that we can link to?

Website: http://www.lares-waowdeals.com/
Facebook: Lares-Waowdeals
Twitter: @lareswaowdeals 

Instagram: @lareswaowdeals 

What is your race programme looking like?

I have a really exciting racing programme tailored towards my development as a climber and potential future GC rider. The management at Lares have carefully planned my calendar such that I have a nice mix of races to help me make a good transition into the professional ranks and gain as much experience as possible without over-racing.

The main goals are the two hilly Ardenne Classics towards the end of April – Fleche Wallonne and Liege Bastonge Liege - and then the Giro de Rosa in June. To race the Giro as a neo pro is extremely exciting for me and I can’t wait to test myself against the top climbers!

Where are you going to live?

I’ll be living in Limoux; a small town in the South of France. It’s an ideal spot for training with both short and steep, ‘classic style’ hills as well as Pyrenean mountains nearby.

What bike will you be riding and who supplies the team kit?

The team ride Mercx bikes and this year my racing machine is the Women’s specific Milano 72. The bike is equipped with ultegra Di2 and a Pioneer powermeter which (as a self-confessed ‘numbers person’) is fantastic. We ride with Edco wheels which are also great and they have designed a very nice set of climbing wheels which the team are fortunate enough to ride.

My wardrobe is currently bulging with a plethora of new team kit supplied by Doltcini. From various types of winter long sleeve jerseys, to performance skin suits to headbands and buffs, the team have every piece of clothing a rider could need!

Do you have any other interests outside of cycling?

Life very much revolves around training and racing but having said that I’m keeping myself occupied off the bike by informally studying sports physiology as well as trying to learn French.

Your Twitter and Instagram names and any website or blog links.

Twitter: @alicecobb3195

Instagram: @alice.cobb