If you were to email us you’d probably get a reply from me, and if you were to see us, you’d probably see Al first. The likelihood is though, if you were dealing with one of us, it wouldn’t be long before the other came flying round the corner and got involved. Right now things are good, I think we both appreciate what the other brings to the table, and know that without the other we’d only be half as good.

Yeah, I try not to drink the night before work, and I wear a watch so I’m generally on time. In all seriousness, I guess it does affect things. My whole life has been pretty much task orientated, whereas I’m sure Al’s only deadline is his funeral. I’m pretty good at staying focussed so I don’t mind doing that for both of us.

He’s talented and he’s one of those guys that just has a huge presence even before he opens his mouth. When he does open his mouth he has the ability to make anyone believe and have confidence in what he says, which is great when it comes to riding as he knows what he’s talking about. He’s also pretty credible in the fact that three years ago he wasn’t even racing, and he’s only got to the level he has because of his own understanding and ability to communicate what actually makes a rider fast.

Eye witnessed. He finds some way to get a deal wherever he is, and we all know it’s not about the money with him, but the challenge. Fair play to him though, his pounds must be worth about 25% more than mine.

If he didn’t ride a bike for a living he certainly would be.

Well, for those who don’t know what VO2 max is…it’s basically the maximum amount of oxygen your body can utilise over one minute, it’s a good measure of how aerobically powerful someone is, and could be likened to the engine size in a car. The thing is though, just like power to weight ratio, it’s always divided by your body weight to make the score relative. I tend to think of Alex’s VO2 like an F1 engine trapped in a Leyland DAF chassis. Forever revving his tits off and longing for a bit of downhill.

We can be driving to work and he won’t speak a word, then as soon as we get there he explodes off his concoction of Red Bull and Haribo with excitement and enthusiasm. It’s funny to watch as it really rubs off on anyone we’re coaching.

Describe his mental determination?

Almost bull like, he’ll go for it and won’t really look up till it’s over. He’ll attempt pretty much anything you dare him to and there’s not much that will stand in his way of trying once he’s got his sights set on something.

Strong, very precise and always committed.

Always a light build with a fast rolling rear tyre no matter how wet it is. He runs his suspension pretty fast which compliments his riding style.

‘Let’s go out,’

‘Bro it’s Sunday night,’

‘Yeah but just for one…we deserve it.’

‘Ahhh go on then’.

Although he doesn’t like to admit it, he feels the effects of alcohol pretty quickly. One pint in he’s usually feeling pretty pleased with himself. ‘Barman! Two Zambukas, two pints please!’

‘I’m such a better person when I’m drunk!’ It usually starts like that, sometimes followed by a bit of impromptu barking, which even the convinced, but really confused, bar staff join in with. It’s all or nothing, I don’t think I’ve ever seen Al have a casual night out.

Immediate presence, domination, then slowly burns out. There’s no way I’d out–sprint him, and there’s now way I’d get the first word in. Whether it’s just talking or riding, he’s flat out from the off till he burns out.

You do know this is going to cause a fight? I’ve not been able to race this year due to an on-going shoulder injury, which means I can’t really push it, so I’m not going to give it the big one. Al has improved a hell of a lot this year but lets just say I remain unbeaten, and in saying that I’ll probably get beaten…up.

Describe the finer details of his personality?

Did you just say finer? What you see is what you get with Al, he lives for the moment, so he’s ace to be around if you fancy getting totally lost in what ever you’re doing there and then.

We’re both left handed, we live about a hundred metres from each other, we have the same tattoo on our backs and we like to party. We’re similar in the fact that we’ll work towards the same outcome just in a different way. We’re both fully committed and we’ll always push each other to the limits on bikes, in work and through life.