THE BRIT PACK

Standing in line at Gatwick airport ready to board a flight to Alicante stand two skinny teenagers wearing British Cycling tracksuit tops.

Unlike the other Brits making their pilgrimage to the Costa del Sol in their flip-flops, this pair have a mission as they seek out a warm-weather training camp in the depths of winter.

These are their first days as part of the U23 development squad, tentatively making their initial steps toward the dream of reaching the top of the sport in mountain biking and cyclo-cross. They chat about the amazing places they’ve already been able to race their bikes and how they jokingly hope one day they’ll be able to compete in an Olympic Games