GO GOLD Athlete of the Week: Alex Haines

Having competed across Europe and riding for the Great Britain Cycling Team, Alex Haines' future is already looking bright.

The promising cyclist took time away from training (and computer games) to tell us a little bit more about his life.

If you could only eat one meal for the rest of your life what would it be?

Im not too interested in food but it would probably be pizza, its always a good meal and even bad pizza is good pizza.

Have you ever met anyone famous?

Yes, my family went to London when I was about 7 and we were going to Westminster as I was doing a project on Parliament. It happened to be the same day as the then Prime minister called an election and I met Gordon Brown at St Pancras train station. He chatted to me and I was on the news later that day.

What is your biggest goal?

I would like to be a professional cyclist and do some of the great races like the Tour of Flanders. The racing is really fun to watch because it is so hectic and it must be so exciting actually racing it.

Describe your favourite training session and why it's your favourite.

Its not so much of a session but rather a training day. I am on the British Cycling Apprentice scheme. This means that every fortnight I meet up with my BC coach and 3 other apprentices and train all day. We do a road session first and then a track session. The days are super hard but with friends there its 'fun'. On one session I rode a kilo behind the juniors it was memorable because of how fast they went and the size of the gear I had to use to keep up.

What are your hobbies outside of your sport?

I play on my computer and hook up with my friends playing various games. I follow cycling closely and there is always races on TV or things to read on the internet about what's going on in professional cycling.

Keep up to date with Alex's progress by visiting his blog: http://www.lrsport.org/profiles/alex-haines.