As well as mastering your energy output you need to develop a good pedal action. Spin your pedals smoothly and make sure your ankle flexes. You sweep the toe down using your calf muscles as you come to the bottom of the pedal stroke, then lift the foot up again as you come round the back of the stroke, then push forwards over the top.

The aim is to learn to put power through the pedals right through the turn, not just ‘mash’ them up and down.

If you’re clipped in using SPD, then try riding along a short stretch of road with just one foot, and see if you can make it smooth. Once you’re clipped in you should be able to power up, forward, down, back and all the way round again without any jerkiness.