Is the first time you have had support from the Dave Rayner Fund?
This is not the first time I have been supported by the Dave Rayner Fund. This is now my 3rd year of being supported by the Fund. I am very lucky to have had the support for so long.
What is your cycling history?
Initially, I got my first Decathlon road bike when I was 7 years old, and they weren't easy to buy for kids, but after a couple of years or so, I pretty much stopped cycling before getting back into it in 2013, when I was accepted by Bristol Cycling Development Squad for their academy. This was when I realised how much I wanted to become a top level rider, and since then I have taken advantage of every opportunity I have been given to develop my skills and experience riding in some amazing races, especially with my previous team HMT Cycling with JLT Condor, in England, Belgium, France, Germany, Poland and Spain. My best results to date are finishing 5th in the Philippe Gilbert Classic, 1st in Stage 2 of the Junior Vuelta Pamplona, and 4th in the Junior British National Road Championships.
What team are you joining?
In 2019 I will be joining Team GSC Blagnac Velosport 31
Tell us a bit about your team.
The team is a Division 1 team based in Venerque, France. Just outside of Toulouse. There is 3 other Brits on the team, an Irish rider and a Canadian this year. The team is one of the oldest standing teams in France. It also has a big club besides the Dn1 team.
What is your race programme looking like?
The race program is awesome. It is one of the best amateur calendars you can get. The programme includes a lot of the UCI U23 races/Coupe De France races/ Elite Nationals and then a few Mens UCI Races.
Where are you going to live?
Le Vernet. A small town outside of Toulouse.
What bike will you be riding and who supplies the team kit?
We will be riding a Drag Bluebird Aero with Ultegra 11 speed. The team kit will be made and supplied by Gobik Wear, a spanish company. Then our Casual wear will be sponsored by Grupetto Shop.
Do you have any other interests outside of cycling?
Not a lot, as cycling does tend to take up a huge amount of your time, both on and off the bike! However, I do enjoy fishing if I really want to relax, but as I have just moved to Spain, I am looking forward to exploring my new surroundings and no doubt enjoying lots of coffee shops and sunshine!!