I'm A Rider Callum Smith

This keen bike racer’s next appointment is on the snow, for Great Britain in cross-country (XC) skiing at the Winter Olympics

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As a kid, I desperately wanted to be a pro cyclist.

I was very much part of the Lance Armstrong generation, utterly enthused by his exploits but too young to be cynical enough to question. However, the lack of local youth racing at the time and the opportunities to compete with the British Nordic Ski development squad diverted my attentions. By 15, I was preparing for international competitions with the seniors.

My love of cycling is at least in part hereditary.

Early family holidays were spent in a child seat on the back of my dad’s bike, before I was able to pedal one myself. His interest rested primarily in touring; we used to go away for weekends of camping and audax events together.

Road racing has taken a back seat to skiing and studies.