Peter Merritt

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

Yes

What is your cycling history?

I joined my local club, VC Deal when I was 16. With their support I got into racing local TTs and crits. At age 17, I started getting coached by Dave Williams who introduced me to bigger races both in the UK and in Europe. I then spent a year with Team Bottecchia UK and with their help have moved on to racing for a team in Belgium.

What team are you joining?

GOMA Dakwerken'i VDB Steenhouwerij

Tell us a bit about your team.

The team is run by Gerry Vande Pontseele and is made up of 21 riders, including ex-World Tour rider Kevin Van Impe.

What is your race programme looking like?

My race programme will consist mainly of kermesses, interclubs and maybe a few stage races in Belgium and France.