We aim to replicate the sort of support you can expect if you were selected to ride for the national team or went on to sign a professional contract. We don’t have enough money to do this in full, but hopefully well enough that if you do move into these environments, you will know what to expect and be best prepared to take advantage of your new opportunity. Prior to each race we will communicate a plan for race day, detailing our arrival, your arrival, suggested practice times (these are much more flexible than in the UK), race times, parking location, sign on location, technical guide etc. We are also available for questions regarding the course, tyre choices, and anything else you might think of. At each race we will set up a base. This may include a gazebo, depending on the weather and our transport arrangements. It will always include an extensive toolkit with experienced mechanic(s), plus jetwashing facilities. You can come here throughout the day for tweaks and adjustments, and for major problems if they arise. You’ll get a calm response focused on fixing any issues. You can bring your bike and shoes for washing after practice (or even between practice sessions if you choose to go out again). We’ll also clean up your bikes at the end of the day, ready for your next race. Remember to be proactive though – we won’t come looking for your bike to clean it, you need to bring it to us. Anything you need – just ask. During your practice sessions, we will aim to ensure that there is a member of staff in the pits, with a pump and basic tools, for adjustments and advice on the fly. If we have a coach available, they will also be able to discuss your individual approach to the race and course features. We encourage one of your supporters to attend practice too – then they can take spare wheels in case you want to change treads etc. If this isn’t possible, talk to us about it and we can work something out. You can warm up under the gazebo if we have one. This may depend on factors outside of our control – for example, where we end up parked on a very busy race day. At race time, we will coordinate a helper (usually a parent who isn’t required in the pits) to attend the start line to take jackets and drinks from all our supported riders, and to be at the race finish to return these items. We provide a waterproof bag for this. Our pit support usually works as follows. Each rider provides one member of pit crew. Don’t worry if they aren’t very experienced – we are there to help them through the entire process. EvoDevo staff will escort the pit crew to the pits in good time for the start of the race. There are usually enough of us to carry everybody’s things – spare bikes, wheels, shoes etc – without difficulty. We all work from the same pit box so that we can help each other as a team. Your main responsibility is to look out for your own rider and keep track of their spare bike. As riders come in to change, we will catch or pass with you (depending on your preference). Ideally you will then clean your rider’s bike at the official sponsor’s jetwash station (personal jetwashes are not permitted at professional races). If you are not confident doing this, we are usually able to help, unless conditions are extremely bad and we are exceptionally busy. Also, if you are not a confident mechanic, there will always be one of our staff present who is, who will have tools and an inflator and who will assist you with any problems arising from crashes etc. Then back to base for clean-up of bikes and shoes, ready for your next race.