IT'S a long, hard road to the top in professional cycling but Northallerton teenager Adam Pinder is determined to achieve his dream.

The 19-year-old left home last summer to join a Belgian development team and has dedicated his life to months of gruelling training and racing in a quest to emulate his Tour de France heroes.

Money is tight, accommodation is pretty basic and the pressure to achieve results is relentless. Adam has already written off two expensive carbon-framed bikes in high-speed crashes, but couldn’t be happier with his chosen career.

“I’m extremely privileged to be given this chance and I’m determined to grab it with both hands,” he says. “Most of my friends from school are at college or university, but all I’ve ever wanted to do is become a professional cyclist.

“It’s unbelievably tough but I’m prepared to do whatever it takes. Living away from home at such a young age in Belgium has really helped me to mature and I’m determined to justify the faith people have put in me.”

Adam is one of 16 young British riders to enjoy support from the Dave Rayner Fund, which helps gifted youngsters to realise their dream of becoming professionals. Set up in memory of a talented junior Milk Race winner from Bradford, awardees receive a basic seasonal living allowance of £500 per month to top up any race winnings they may earn.

Standards are so high in the Belgian kermesse races, however, that just finishing in the top 50 is an achievement.

Adam trains up to 30 hours a week with his WSC Hand in Hand Baal team in the town of Tielt Winge in the Flemish Brabant, sharing a house with six other young British hopefuls. He has already shown enough potential to secure his place on the team for next season.

“Races are usually about 100k and fast and furious,” he says. “It’s not uncommon to come up against former professionals who have competed at the biggest races in Europe.

“I’ve learned such a lot about tactics and it’s done wonders for my fitness. But I can’t pretend there haven’t been some dark moments when I have doubted whether I am good enough.

“I’ve come through all that, however, and I’ve learned to believe in myself. I was never talented academically but I have found a life I can dedicate myself to.

“I’m realistic. I know many young riders before me have failed to make it to professional level. But I would never have forgiven myself if I hadn’t taken this chance and I will do my utmost to get there.”

Adam is currently back in England recovering from a painful crash at the Stockton Cycling Festival. He started riding with his local Hambleton Road Club in Northallerton before joining the Hartlepool-based Adept team and then Fietsen Tempo, of Stokesley.

“What really inspired me was watching the Tour de France when it went over the Buttertubs in 2014,” he says. “ Since then, I’ve had a lot of help and encouragement from Steve Cowley, of Cowley Cycles, in Northallerton and the Dave Rayner Fund.

“My aim for this year is to achieve two top-20 finishes, which will be a real sign of progress. But next year it will get harder again because I will be stepping up to Under-23 level when the races get longer and even tougher.”