The typical daily routine consisted of getting up early for a cycle, run or swim followed by breakfast with the riders and crew. We then set up and massaged the three groups before they set off for the day. Throughout the day we were on hand to massage; during the lunch stop and again back at the hotel. The afternoons and evenings consisted of long recovery and stretching sessions with the riders until around 11pm.

The treatments consisted mostly of intra event flushing and stimulation techniques during each stage, with the bulk of our work taking place during the recovery sessions after the race. As each stage is about climbing, the riders predominately used their quadriceps and gluteals (depending on if they stayed in the saddle or came out of the saddle). As a result, deep and slow flushing of the quadriceps and gluteals was essential. We organised a stretch session each evening to encourage recovery and recommended a 15 minute cold bath to reduce inflammation.

My biggest test was a rider who suffered cramping on one of the climbs. It was clear he was a priority case and I started cautiously with light compression on the quadriceps. The rider then started to cramp in his hamstrings quadriceps and then both his legs became locked in extension through multiple cramping. I noticed what looked like mice running under his skin , a sign which indicates hyponatremia and called the doctor in who gave him a muscle relaxant and put him on a saline drip. The rider recovered and his descent was unfortunately in an ambulance back to the hotel.

During the event I had the privilege of massaging Yanto Barker (British Pro racing cyclist), Emma Davies (Ex British Olympic cyclist) and Stephen Roche (1987 Tour de France winner). I was also lucky enough to treat James Golding who works with UK Youth and has beaten cancer twice! He is such a positive young man with a passion to inspire others. He inspired me from the moment I met him and I hope to get the chance to work with him and his future challenges at UK Youth.