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

Yes this is my first year, I am very grateful for their support, without the Dave Rayner fund it wouldn’t be possible to live and race out in the Netherlands. I’m looking forward to getting stuck into the 2017 race season with my new Dutch team, Swabo Ladies!

What is your cycling history ?

At the age of 9 I started racing local cycle cross in Norfolk every Sunday morning. The whole club (Fat Birds Don’t Fly) used to turn out and encourage me along, popping up along the course with useful information like ‘change gear’! The club morale really got me into racing and riding my bike, especially when the races and rides ended with a compulsory cake stop. However, it all got a little more serious when I started time trialling and road racing a couple of years later with the support of Beacon Wheelers.

What team are you joining in 2017?

Swabo Ladies, a Dutch team . I wanted to live and race abroad in 2017. After spending the majority of my time this summer in the Netherlands and Belgium I soon realised this was the place to be for women’s racing. A large majority of the UCI racing is in the Netherlands and Belgium and with the Swabo Ladies team being based in the Netherlands it seemed a natural place to go.

Tell us a bit about your team:

Swabo ladies has a mix of nationalities ; Dutch, Swedish, Norwegian and English riders. Within the team we have a great depth of talent for each aspect of racing e.g. sprinting, hill climbing and hill climbing. We are all looking forward to getting stuck into racing as a team.

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

Website: http://www.swaboladies.nl/team/rensters/

Facebook: SwaboLadies

Twitter: @swaboladies

Instagram: Swaboladies.nl

What is your race programme looking like?

My programme is a big step up from being a junior last year. I have a full on early season programme in the Netherlands and Belgium that will show how the legs are after winter training! My season then has a small break before a number of UCI stage races towards the end of the season which I am very excited about!

Where are you going to live?

I am living in Breda (south Netherlands) where I have easy access to both racing in the Netherlands and Belgium.

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

I am riding a Boardman air 9.4 for the 2017 season. The team supply the following kit; Bontrager shoes, Helmets and clothing by Zaes sports wear.

Do you have any other interests outside of cycling?

I have an interest in cooking, my favourite dish is tarragon chicken as it is quick to cook but still healthy. As I have joined a Dutch team I thought it only right to try and learn some Dutch, there is room for a lot of improvement at the moment!

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

Twitter: @henriettacolbo1

Instagram: hcolborne

Team website : http://www.swaboladies.nl