Sean Flynn's Progress from Mountain Biking to Grand Tours
Sean Flynn, the only Scottish competitor in this year's Giro d'Italia, expresses surprise at the advancement he has achieved since transitioning from mountain biking to elite road racing five years ago.
The 26-year-old Edinburgh native will compete alongside some of cycling's most prominent figures when the race commences in Bulgaria on Friday.
Having previously participated in the Tour de France and the Vuelta a España, Flynn has now completed all three Grand Tours.
"When I first made the switch (from mountain biking) I wouldn't have expected probably to get as far as I have.
The first couple of years, the progression is really fast and then after that you have to look harder for ways to progress. That's a challenge but I am enjoying it, while exploring my leadership and captain's role in the team.
It has been a nice journey and I think I take a lot of my attributes physically and technically from my offroad racing when I was younger."
Scottish Cyclists Making History
Flynn and fellow Scotsman Oscar Onley made history at last year's Tour de France, marking the first occasion two Scottish riders competed in the event simultaneously.
Onley achieved a fourth-place finish, matching the best result by a Scottish cyclist, while Flynn placed 134th in the general classification after more than 81 hours of racing.
"Over the last couple of years we have become used to, alongside Oscar, taking on this 'first Scot in a while' kind of a thing and that is always a nice reminder of where we have managed to get to and what we are doing.
In a few years it is not going to be so unusual to have Scots at the start of these races so maybe I play a small part in that which is cool.
I don't really compare myself too much with Oscar. What he has achieved is just incredible and I am proud to have been a small part in that at times.
I suppose here I am starting a race where he isn't. I'm sure Oscar will be along to the Giro soon to probably get his arms in the air. I will have to up my game to be able to get to that stage before him.
For me, the main goal there is to help Casper van Uden our sprinter to take a stage win like he did last year."
Supporting Each Other in Elite Cycling
Flynn is part of a Scottish cycling power couple; his girlfriend, Lauren Dickson, competes at the elite level in women's road racing for the prominent FDJ-Suez team.
"We do help each other a lot," said Flynn. "Her journey has been really inspiring and does give me a lot of encouragement. I also think I have played my part in helping her to get to the place she is now and that is really nice that we can do that together."
