Tell us what you have planned now you’re stepped away from the World Tour…

I have two new roles – the first one is that I’m becoming a brand ambassador for Nopinz, a performance cycling clothing brand based in Devon. I have been an investor shareholder with them for a long time as it’s a great brand; it’s the kit that a lot of world teams go to when their sponsored kit isn’t up to scratch. So now I’ll be racing under the kit and helping them develop a few things over the coming years…We’re going to improve people’s overall cycling experience in terms of speed and comfort and everything else.

And then secondly, I am going to be head of development for the Anexo Group Race Team. Last year they were a youth team, and now the six riders have stepped up to the junior category. I’m going to head up development: I’m not a director, but I’ll likely be directing; I’m not a coach, but I’ll likely be coaching.

The junior ranks are where it all begins and it’s vitally important, especially compared with when I was young. I’m going to try to help them avoid making the same mistakes that I did and hopefully to go on to make it pro if that’s what they want to do.

Has it been a nerve-wracking few months of change?

I’m not going to lie, it has been a little unnerving. I had to commit to stepping away before there could be a commitment to what was happening next, so there was a lot up in the air. And there was some self-doubt; I have been a pro bike rider in whatever capacity since I left school so I didn’t really know any different. But I have had a great amount of support from so many people and now I’m more excited about this year than any year as a pro bike rider to be honest.

Have you got any sporting challenges on the horizon?

Sporting-wise, I’m just going to chuck myself into a load of new stuff and see what I enjoy – and see what I can still do at the age of 34. I’ve just run the London Marathon and hope to do a triathlon, I’ve taken up skiing…Time-trialling will definitely feature in there because it’s what I love, probably gravel.

I’m also expanding my coaching company which has existed for five or six years, and now I have the capacity to help more. Often the knowledge that I take for granted can be groundbreaking for someone who’s less experienced than I am, so I look forward to finding out what people need my help with.

Why did you step away from the World Tour?

It was mainly because I’ve achieved everything I think I can. I don’t think I can top what I’ve done. And I didn’t want to put my family through another round of contract negotiations, which are getting tougher and tougher all the time. So I’m very happy to say that has been a great chapter of my life – and here’s a new one!

Read our 2021 chat with Alex about his ongoing support for Action and why our Champions of CycleSport Dinner offered a platform to inspire others.

And check out this exclusive backstage chat at the 2021 event.