Auditions open for cycling reality show 'The Coach'

With auditions kicking off at 1600 BST on Tuesday June 21, the BIKE Channel is setting out to find top-end amateur cyclists to take part in its new reality show The Coach.

The programme format has reportedly been a big hit in Italy and is now gracing the British airwaves.

Twelve riders will be selected from the auditions process and all will feature in the opening episode of the programme. From these twelve just two will go on to compete throughout the series.

The two riders who come out on top from the auditions will be given full kit sponsorship worth almost £5000.

The two lucky leaders will then be put through their paces by ex-pros Rob Hayles and Brian Smith before an overall winner is declared.

Anyone fresh off a gold time in a sportive can get involved by sending in a video to the BIKE website or Facebook page. Organisers ask that the video is no longer than 50 seconds, explaining who they are, why they love cycling, and what winning The Coach UK would mean to them.

The deadline for entries is Tuesday July 5.

As the series progresses, the contenders will be given training and nutrition plans to follow, and will be told race winning tactics by their mentors.

All this culminates in a final head-to-head at a sportive before one of them becomes the BIKE Channel UK’s amateur ambassador for 2017.

>>> Inside Team Sky’s training camp (video)

During his career Hayles rode at the top level on the track and road. He represented Great Britain alongside the likes of Sir Bradley Wiggins and Steve Cummings.

More recently, he has been involved with the British Cycling team.

Smith was twice British road race champion and was latterly the team manager for WorldTour outfit Dimension Data, where he worked with Mark Cavendish and Edvald Boasson Hagen.

The two selected riders will train and live like a pro rider, undertaking intense training under the scrutiny of their coach, and follow a strict diet and be coached in race tactics - all captured by the programme.

For details on how to enter The Coach, take a look at on facebook.com/BIKEChannelUK and twitter.com/bikechanneluk and at www.bikechannel.co.uk for more details.

Make your training camp count

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.

"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.”

The Coach UK will air six 30 minute episodes this September 2016. Each episode will be available exclusively on BIKE Channel (Sky 464 / Virgin Media 552), with the first episode airing on September 12.