If you’ve ever wanted to live and train like a professional cyclist, then now might be your chance. BIKE Channel’s first ever UK reality series ‘The Coach UK’ is searching for two riders willing to take on the challenge of becoming a pro and entry opens today. 

The programme will select two lucky cyclists – one will be coached by former British pro-track and road rider and three time Olympic medallist Rob Hayles whilst the other will get the undivided[ish] attention of two-time British road race champ and former Dimension Data team manager Brian Smith.

The programme haven’t said if one or any of the riders will be female – so we suppose it’ll come down to the entrants. The material we’ve been given in the header image shows only men, which does concern us – so we’d love to see as many women as possible put their name in the hat.

The pair will receive a full kit sponsorship worth almost £5,000 and the expert coaching. Then, they’ll go head to head at a prestigious sportive, where one will become the BIKE Channel’s UK amateur ambassador for 2017.

Filippo Ubaldini, Founder & CEO of BIKE channel, said: “We are delighted to officially open the auditions for the first ever UK series of The Coach and offer cycling enthusiasts the chance to star in this unique and exciting TV show.”

The show has already been aired on the Italian BIKE Channel and Ubaldini said: “The popularity and number of entries for The Coach in Italy exceeded expectations and created some incredible television for cycling enthusiasts and armchair viewers alike. We look forward to recreating this success in the UK and providing our lucky competitors with the incredible opportunity to learn from two legends of British cycling. We are extremely excited to see what talent the UK has to offer.”

The athletes will be prescribed training and nutrition programmes, and he added: “As with The Coach in Italy the road will not be easy, and our two contenders will be tested to the limit as they ride for victory and the title of BIKE’s first UK Ambassador.”

How to enter?

Entry to the selection process opens at 4pm today, and closes on July 5. If you’d like to be considered, you just need to submit a sub 50 second video explaining who you are, why you love cycling, and what winning The Coach UK would mean to you via the BIKE website or Facebook page.

The videos will be culled down to 12, and all those shortlisted will appear on the first of six episodes that will air in September on the BIKE Channel (Sky ch. 464 / Virgin Media ch. 552).