NORTHALLERTON rider Adam Pinder on his season and why he has joined Hennebont Cyclisme in 2019

The Northern Echo:

You left home to go and race in Belgium in 2017, what were your thoughts on leaving the UK and what aims did you set yourself?

"Leaving home was a scary thought, considering I've been at home all my life and being close to my parents they did a lot for me and I had to grow up fast. Regarding aims, I knew from the outset that Belgium would be a massive jump and it was scary that I had to do everything for myself cooking, cleaning and washing etc. I started racing at the end of February and my aim at the beginning was just to get round and then go from there and work my way up. Once I started to get round I then set myself bigger targets of trying to get in moves and be aggressive within the races."

How did you find the first few weeks and months and what did you find the hardest?

"The first couple of weeks were the hardest living with new people. Sharing a house with more than two people was a big thing. The racing to start with was very hard going, full gas for three hours in kermesses was a lot different to what I had been doing before and it took me a couple of weeks to adjust."

What was the racing like? Were you prepared for everything you faced?

"The racing was full on from the gun, I can remember doing a few races and thinking to myself "this is awful and it hurts, why am I doing this?" then I remembered that I want to be a pro cyclist and that if I'm suffering the guy next to me is also probably suffering too. When I did my first interclub in March that was a big deal for me because I'd never ridden a big race like that before. It turned out that day that I punctured straight out of the neutral zone which was a nightmare and I didn't think that I was going to get back on. Thankfully, with a quick wheel change from the team mechanic and a tow back to the bunch from the car I got back on. It was very scary doing 70km/h behind a car."

Where do you feel you improved and were there any disappointments along the way?

"I feel like I've improved a lot, not just on the bike but off it as well. I've learned how to deal with different situations and become a lot more independent. There was a couple of mishaps I had two major crashes writing off two bikes in the process which wasn't great."

You have now made the decision to move to France. Tell me how that came about?

"My coach Jon Bateman and a local rider called Daniel Smith put me in contact with the manager from Hennebont. I then spoke to him on the phone and we discussed about Belgium and then what my plans were for next year."

Do you think your experiences in Belgium will make you better prepared for what lays ahead in Brittany?

"Yes I'd like to think so, my experience in Belgium was great and I think it'll help me massively for next year. I believe France will suit me better and I'm looking forward to getting stuck in!"

What are your plans between now and the start of the season, in terms of training and preparation?

"I'm currently training for next year, doing between 14-18 hours a week on the bike along with some gym work. I'm going on a training camp in January to Calpe to do a big block of training before I go to France in February."

Where will you be racing and what will be your role in the team?

"The team have a very good calendar, including doing all of the French national races and also doing lots of stage races within France."

How has the Dave Rayner fund helped you along the way and what do you think of what it offers young riders?

"The Dave Rayner fund has been brilliant to me and the support that it gives riders is brilliant. To be on the Dave Rayner fund is prestigious and the previous riders that have been on have gone on to do major things in world cycling."

If we talk again this time next year, what do you hope to have achieved?

"This time next year I hope to have had an excellent year in France. I'd like to be aggressive throughout the year and get the team and sponsors noticed in the races. I would like to have three or four podiums throughout the year and maybe if everything goes right maybe even a win!"