She may only be 20 years of age, but British rider Lucy Garner will be Liv-Plantur's designated sprinter for the 2015 campaign.
Her season will get underway today as she goes in search of victory at the Tour of Qatar.
Ahead of the event, Sports Mole caught up with the Sky Academy Sports Scholar to discuss her preparations, her new role within the Dutch team and the Olympic Games.
This is your third season as a professional, but it's the first time that you're starting a campaign outside of Europe. Is that an exciting prospect?
"It is, definitely. I'm really looking forward to getting out to Qatar and racing there. It's my first time racing there. It's going to be different and obviously it's very early on in the season, so my training has been a little bit different in the lead-up to it. I'm looking forward to getting stuck in, though, because it's pretty flat and that suits me, being a sprinter."
Although it's flat, the Tour of Qatar is known for being windy. How are you going to ensure that you are not hampered by that?
"Luckily, I live in Holland now and it's surprising how much wind there is. I'm pretty much used to it now. When we go out training, it's pretty much windy every day on the long open roads. I've got no doubt that it has helped me to prepare for Qatar. Some of the girls have said how big a part the wind can play, but I'm hoping that with my experience, it will give me an advantage."
You mentioned that your training programme has altered. What changes have you had to make?
"I've been doing the more intensive stuff a bit earlier. Usually, I'd still be just doing the long rides around about now and not so much sprinting and high-zone efforts. I've had to move it a bit forward to prepare me for the four days of racing in Qatar."
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What are you hoping to get out this event?
"I would love to get a win - that would be amazing. I'd also be happy with a podium finish from one of the stages. I feel that my shape is good and the races are not too long, which should also be good for me. I guess, realistically, the podium should be my first aim, but a win would be amazing."
Following the departure of Kirsten Wild, you're now Liv-Plantur's designated sprinter. Is that a daunting or an exciting position to be in?
"I'm really excited by it. The past two years I've had to work for Kirsten in a lot in the races, as well as sprinting myself. It's really nice this year that I've got the opportunity to try my sprint out against some of the top sprinters in the world. I'm still pretty young, but I'm looking forward to taking that role on. It's great that the team have trusted me to take the role on and it shows that they believe I'm capable of getting good results for them."
Kirsten is regarded to be the world's best sprinter. Did you learn much from working alongside her?
"I trained with her a lot and at the training camps I was able to see how she went about things. We are different sprinters and riders, but she is the world's best sprinter, so I did learn a lot. I saw how she approached different sprints to make sure that she gets to the end of the race in first place."
Does being the designated sprinter heap more pressure on you to perform?
"As a person I will probably put more pressure on myself, but the team will not. I've still got a long way to develop to be a top-class sprinter and they are aware of that. The pressure will come from me. It's nice to do well for the team, especially because they are going to be working the whole race for you."
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You've got a young team at Liv-Plantur, but are you confident that you can still pick up positive results?
"It's a really, really young team. We have a lot of developing riders. It's kind of weird that I've been with the team for three years, yet I'm still only 20. I feel like I've been in the peloton now for ages. The riders that we have, we may be young, but everyone is getting stuck in. The results that we had last year from the young riders was promising. I'm looking forward to riding with all the girls this season."
Despite being only 20, as one of the team's more senior members, are your teammates asking you for any advice?
"A little bit. In the meetings, now I'm the sprinter, everyone will look to me to see what I think is best, both for the team and how I want to go into the finish. It's a bit of a strange feeling because I haven't been in the peloton too long, but it's nice. I've learned so much the last three years. There are girls on the team now that are 18, so hopefully I can help them out."
What are your hopes and aspirations for the remainder of the year? Is there a particular race that you're looking to win?
"I've got my race schedule, but for now it's just all about concentrating on Qatar and the earlier races. I'm hoping to go into those in some good form and stay in decent shape. It's such a long season, so carrying good form all the way through until the end of it in September is going to be hard. I will have different peaks, but for now it's only Qatar in my mind really."
This Friday will mark 500 days until the start of the Olympics in Brazil. Are the Games something that you think about much?
"It's always in the back of my mind. With cycling, there are so many races that we have in a season, it's really hard to concentrate too far into the future. Obviously, the Olympics is massive though and it's hard to escape. It is a pretty hilly circuit [in Rio], but my climbing is getting better every year. Hopefully I can be there to support Lizzie [Armitstead] because I know that it's going to be a course that is suited to her. I've got to get the training in and come the middle of this season, I guess the selections will be made, so I need to get the results."
Lucy Garner is supported by the Sky Academy Sports Scholarships scheme, helping 11 young athletes fulfil their potential with tailored support including funding and mentoring - http://www.skysports.com/scholarships
Liam Apicella
