‘More races, more teams and more opportunities’ for cyclists who go abroad says Notts Olympic medallist

Video: Coach and Olympic medallist Bryan Steel on moving abroad

A Notts Olympic medal-winning cyclist says there are ‘more races, more teams and more opportunities’ for young British riders who go abroad.

Bryan Steel runs his own academy to help cyclists from across the East Midlands reach the upper echelons of the sport.

He won a bronze medal in the team pursuit at Sydney 2000 and a silver medal in the same event at Athens 2004.

Bryan rode in the same team as Sir Bradley Wiggins on both occasions.

Speaking on Sports Week about breaking into the sport, Bryan said: “One thing we learned last year was that our initial aim was to get guys into domestic professional teams.

“In a way it’s a saturated field though because there’s four or five teams with chances for 20 to 30 riders whereas there’s 40 to 50 riders going for those spots.

“Aged 18, I went out to Belgium to live there myself because there are more races, more teams and more opportunities.

“With the people I know and the places I’ve been around Belgium, I had a lot of contacts who said when these guys are ready, bring them out.”

Nottinghamshire cyclist Sam Smith goes out to Belgium in August with other members of the team to gain experience.

Sam said: “Before joining the academy, I just rode for a club and you’d just ride how and when you wanted to.

“Then when you come onto the academy, you get given a training plan and are told what to do and when to do it so that was probably the biggest difference.

“Being in a professional environment helps to get different outlooks on different areas of life as well.”

For more from Bryan and Sam, watch the May 24 episode of Sports Week on our catch up service.

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