MATT Westcott has been speaking to World and Paralympic cycling champion Dame Sarah Storey who brings her team Storey Racing to the Tour Series in Durham on Tuesday, May 22

The Northern Echo:

This venture is still relatively new, how has it gone and has there been a surprises along the way?

Our aim was to create a welcoming team that provided great racing opportunities and we have done that. We have some highly involved sponsors from small brands that really do give us more than just their logo and financial assistance. I think we underestimated how hard it would be to find a big brand to create the size and professional level of team that we want.

The team motto is #bestversionofyou. Can you explain the reason behind this and how your team/riders exemplify this?

The motto depicts our process driven approach. Outcome goals are less controllable than process goals and each rider can only control their own performance so we focus on everyone being the best version of themselves and hope that gives other people, supporters, fans and sporty people an ethos and process they can apply to their own lives too.

The Tour Series comes to Durham on May 22. How do you approach each round in terms of preparation?

Each round is a race in its own right so we focus on what lies in front. We are process driven so have a race plan and rider roles to maximise our opportunities according to course profile. It’s the first time the women’s race has been to Durham so we are looking forward to seeing the city.

Would Joss Lowden have been taking part? If so, how big a blow is her injury received in the Tour de Yorkshire and how did you view the incident with the motorcycle at the time and on reflection?

Joss is based in London and works during the week so wasn’t on the roster unless needed because of illness or injury. Her injury is a bigger challenge with the Women’s Tour next month so we are working closely with our team doctor to give her every chance of being on the start line for that. Any race incident where a security vehicle causes a crash is not acceptable and the situation is being dealt with.

Who are the riders to watch out for and why from Storey Racing?

We have a strong line up for Tour Series with last year's individual winner Becks Durrell and Eisberg sprints winner EJay Harris. There's also GB track duo Neah Evans and Emily Nelson plus rising star Monica Dew and cross specialists Beth Crumpton and Anna Kay.

These events really capture the public’s imagination, whether fans of cycling or not. How important are they for your team and women’s cycling as a whole?

The series gives a good platform for profile and exposure for our sponsors so it ensures we can provide a return on their investment. Many of our sponsors also provide sponsorship to the Tour Series making it doubly important for them that we race.

When you reflect on this season when it comes to an end, what do you hope to have achieved both personally and with regards to the team?

I hope we’ll have had an invite to ride Team Time Trial at Road Worlds and had success in UCI stage races plus the National Road Race Series and National Road Champs. Personally I am targeting the Road Worlds to try and win my 30th world title!

WIN VIP TICKETS TO THE TOUR SERIES IN DURHAM

THE summer of cycling is here! Get up close to elite cyclists and raise a glass with the UK’s number one alcohol free wine, Eisberg, as the Tour Series comes to Durham on May 22.

To celebrate a great day of cycling in Durham, The Northern Echo has teamed up with, Eisberg Alcohol Free Wine to give one lucky fan the chance to win two VIP tickets for the sixth round of the Tour Series.

The winner and a friend will have an evening full of excitement watching professional elite cyclists compete in the country’s leading circuit race Series, while enjoying an open bar, complimentary ‘street food’ and a full race programme. All from a prime viewing location.

Eisberg is continuing it’s support of cycling again this year as proud sponsors of the Tour de Yorkshire, OVO energy Tour Series, OVO energy Women’s Tour of Britain and OVO energy Men’s Tour of Britain. As well as sponsoring two professional teams across the Men's and Women’s peloton Canyon Eisberg and Storey Racing.

All you need to do to stand a chance of winning is answer this question: What date does the Tour Series come to Durham this year?

Send your answers on an email marked Tour Series to matt.westcott@nne.co.uk with your name, age, address and daytime contact number. You can also send entries by mail to Matt Westcott, Social Media Editor, The Northern Echo, Darlington, DL11NF. Entries close on Friday, May 18 at 3pm.