ACKNOWLEDGEMENTS

FIRST OF ALL I’d like to say a big thank-you to Matt and Sarah at Bloomsbury for their patience and invaluable editorial input on this project. Next, I’m extremely grateful to Phil Burt and Nigel Mitchell for their expert advice and assistance. The time given to me by the staff and riders on the Canyon/SRAM pro cycling team, especially Tiffany Cromwell and Hannah Barnes, was incredibly generous. Also the interviews from Phil Gaimon, Katie Archibald and Dean Downing gave brilliant insight into the life and training of top level riders. Finally I’d like to say my biggest thank-you to my wife/longterm bike widow, Lissa. When she said her wedding vows seventeen years ago, I’m not she she realised that it would entail soigneur, pit-crew, psychologist and multiple other cycling related roles supporting my racing. She’s put up with an awful lot, including drivetrains in the dishwasher, “taper tantrums” and my leg hairs in the bath, and I’m incredibly grateful to her.