大象传媒

The 29-year-old from Southend has been road racing for around 10 years at various levels and numerous teams.

On average, he races in the region of 50 to 60 races a year, in Britain as well as overseas in Belgium and France - countries where cycling is a hugely popular sport.

Dean estimates that through training and racing, he'll cycle a minimum of 200 miles in a week. And all of this is fitted in around his full-time job as a builder!

"We all have part-time jobs and we get out in the evenings and at weekends. We race at the weekends and during the week sometimes," says Dean. "But we just do it because we love it."

Dean rides at least 200 miles every week!

"I'm virtually an elite rider in this country, but I'll keep doing it as long as I can until I lose enthusiasm for it, but I can't see that ever happening and I can't see myself stopping.

This year, Dean is racing for the BMC UK Racing Team, an Essex-based outfit made-up of 11 local riders, which is in its first year of competition.

"We all knew each other, we all rode together and trained with each other and thought 'why not get together and ride as one big team,'" Dean explains.

"The whole point of the team in a way was to encourage the younger riders," he adds.

"We've got Adam Norris, a former Junior National Champion, and some excellent riders who are only in their early-20s who've got the potential to go abroad and make it on the continent. So they can learn from us and we can help them."

The 10-race competition takes place in city centres around the country, including events in both Colchester and Southend.

Competing in a high profile, closedroad series is something Dean is excited to be doing: "Being a part of it is amazing really. We're lucky to be in it," he says.

"There's so many top quality teams in it. You've got the likes of Halfords and Rapha-Condor and they're basically听full-time pros in this country, so to race with them week in, week out, we can't ask for any more."

Riding along Southend seafront will be familiar

Even more exciting for Dean and his team mates is the chance to ride in front of his home crowd.

"It's amazing. It's absolutely amazing. You never would have dreamed it would happen," he beams.

"We're going to have so many spectators down there watching us and so many people we know - family, relatives, friends - it's going to be an absolutely buzzing atmosphere.

"All the other rounds have been heaving with spectators and you get such an adrenalin rush."

It goes without saying that Dean gives 100% effort each and every time he races, but admits an extra push for glory may be on the cards in the two Essex races.

Dean's racing bike costs around 拢4000

"Particularly in Southend, because it's the last round of the series as well and we're definitely up for winning it," he says.

"We've got a good side - five strong men that we're going to put out, and hopefully one of us can get a win or a podium at least."

The Tour Series comes to the streets of Colchester on Thursday, 18 June with the final round on Southend seafront on Thursday, 25 June.