My friend is riding for UKyouth this year and his house is being used as a base for the season(great to see a pro set up in action close up). Today I met some of the team, all nice guys. The real highlight was meeting Magnus Backstedt! Paris Roubaix is one of my favorite races, so to meet a winner, fantastic. Nice guy and doing good with a young team. There is a chance I might be helping out a bit this season so fingers crossed!

Nice one! Big Maggie is pretty much a Brit now too isn’t he?

Met him when I rode the London to Paris a couple of years ago. Massive guy – and awesome to ride with him when he lead us out for a mile for one of the sprints! Seemed a nice bloke as well. Just wish I’d knew more about him then as I’d have liked to have chatted about Roubaix etc.

Also rode with Greg & Leo Mansall who ride with him now as well.

And he’s really funny on Have I got News For You as well. Where does he find the time?

He is massive! Greg Mansall is a nice chap. They all are real gents but hard men on the bikes. I was checking out their punishing training schedule, made me weep.