|The Italian Way|
|Around the Academy:
It was after I won the Junior World Championships for the third time that I was approached to join Italian team Acca Due O.
It was a dream come true for me.
Cycling is a far more high profile sport in Italy than it is here.
Being able to concentrate completely on my cycling is fantastic. And it's a great opportunity for me to show what I'm capable of.
I've settled well into life in Italy, although I miss my family and friends when I'm away from home.
When I'm in Italy I share an apartment with a few of my team-mates.
There's a sense that we're all in it together.
Everyone's very committed and there's a real camaraderie between us.
My first flat-mate was an Argentinian rider. She didn't speak any English and I didn't speak any Spanish.
At least that was one way to make sure we practiced our Italian!