Stevie Williams, 21

SEG Racing, Girona, Spain

Thoughts on Girona? It’s a completely different culture to the UK but I settled quickly. The weather’s good and there are great climbs. I’ve spent 80 per cent of the year here, and 20 per cent at the team’s base in Eindhoven, the Netherlands.

How have you found living abroad? Last year I raced for Jlt-condor and spent the first three months of the year in Australia and that helped me get used to being away from home. It opened my eyes to the different time zones, racing abroad and different levels.

How’s the racing been? There’s been constant stage races and I’ve been racing during every week and at the weekends. Racing in Belgium, France and Holland, it teaches you how to stay focused in important sections and how to ride in the crosswinds. Also, I’ve been taught how to approach races differently; sometimes I’m there to do a job, others I’ll be looked after.

How’s the team? Brilliant. I felt I needed to make the move if I wanted to progress into the climber that I want to be. They’ve been great in looking after me, they’re on it when it comes to the coaching and offer a great race programme.

Pleased with the year? I’ve had a lot of top 10s, and finished second at Flèche Ardennaise. But I feel like a few crashes have altered the year slightly.

Next season’s goals? I believe with a

good winter, and everything that I’ve learnt this year, I can up my game and go for the overall and stages in U23 hilly races. Getting selected for the

Commonwealth Games in April, and doing well at Tour de l’avenir and the

U23 Worlds will be a big aim for me.