Another common mistake – and something Team Sky’s head of nutrition Nigel Mitchell has touched on in a previous interview with RCUK – is not fuelling properly through the working day.

That’s something Downing has noticed as a coach, too, and especially riders who skip breakfast before riding into work. While he believes fasted training has its place, it should be used as part of a structured programme, and not merely to save time.

“You can’t do too many fasted rides if you are having to train hard in the limited amount time you have,” he explains. “Unless you are using your commute as training, and have set it out as a fasted session, you have to eat beforehand and it’s all about eating right at lunchtime as well. Have your proteins and your carbs.”

Downing says it’s particularly important to stay topped up through the day if you are planning to train in the evening after work, and having a stash of healthy snacks ready to call upon at work will enable you to do that.

“Nutrition can sometimes get over-complicated but at the heart of it is very simple stuff. If you want to do a turbo session straight away, immediately after returning [from work], then have some good snacks ready to eat before you leave work.

“You’ll be able to get through your training session because you have eaten well through the day and then have your evening meal afterwards. There’s nothing worse than having an evening meal an hour before hitting the turbo.

“Pro riders are told to eat three or four hours before they race, but when you are working you can’t do things like that so it’s all about eating properly when you can and snacking at the right times, so you have the energy to do the sessions properly.”

Website: Train Sharp Cycle Coaching