The often tedious routine of Christmas Day rolls around again tomorrow. 

Twenty-four hours of enforced contact with relatives, in which banality too often replaces banter at the dinner table, it can be the worst of times.

But what if you could choose your dinner guests tomorrow, substituting Aunt Esmerelda for Chris Froome, for example, and trading chit chat about the sewing circle’s fundraising drive for the inside story on that stunning victory atop Mont Ventoux?

Valentino Campagnolo, who this year celebrated the 80th anniversary of the company founded by his father, Tullio,  is likely to offer more fascinating insights into engineering than cousin Fred, the widget fabricator, if only you could get him to the table.

And Chris Boardman, a man whose seemingly limitless abilities now place him in the vanguard of the debate on road safety, would be well placed to discuss almost any subject you choose, from the secrets of British Cycling’s so-called ‘secret squirrel club’ to the challenges Fabian Cancellara is likely to face next year when he attempts to beat the world hour record.

We’re unable to magic away your boring relatives, sadly, but we can at least offer a list of fantasy guests from the world of cycling. Here’s ten to consider. You’ll have your own suggestions, of course. Head to the RCUK Forum and make them known.