As we wrote earlier this month in our top tips for winter training, there is no substituting the hard miles of a base ride, or for sessions on the turbo trainer.

As uninspiring as an hour on the turbo trainer may seem, with the correct preparation, it can become a tolerable experience, and one that will pay dividends next sprint .

One man who knows all about such rides is Mike Cotty – a multiple participant in L’Etape du Tour and sportive veteran.

See what he had to say about planning the perfect turbo session here.