CYCLISTS Alex Jolliffe and Rebecca Raybould are targeting medals as they set out for an intense three weeks of competition on the track.

The pair – both based in Weymouth – will compete in the Junior Track European Championships followed by the Junior World Track Championships and to top it all off a National Championship – all in the space of 21 days. A tough ordeal for anyone.

Jolliffe and Raybould have only been cycling for four years after trying taster sessions at Bournemouth’s velodrome.

Now, they are set to race the biggest event of their lives next month, something neither of them expected at the start of this journey.

The duo were selected for the events just two weeks ago.

Speaking about their call-up Jolliffe told Echosport: “You don’t expect it, it hasn’t really sunk in.”

Raybould interjected: “It’s great to know that we are progressing because we just started riding (in Weymouth) and we were picked up by the national squad.

“We have been given this great opportunity.

“If we weren’t on the British team then we wouldn’t have that chance to race abroad and the knowledge from the coaches.”

After gaining good results on the junior national circuit, Raybould was the first of the pair to be picked up by British Cycling.

The 18-year-old applied for their talent team and was selected.

Jolliffe, 17, was slightly later to the party, joining up the talent squad a year later through the same route.

Both take part in different disciplines. Jolliffe specialises in the sprint events, whilst Raybould is an endurance athlete.

This means they rarely train together as they are not on the same programmes, but when they do, Raybould is the queen of the climbs.

On track, they are some of Britain’s best young talent, but both recognise they will have to step up their game when the championships in Italy and Switzerland come around.

Raybould said: “It’s totally different to what you expect. It’s crazy.”

Jolliffe added: “It’s always a real eye-opener. The talent from across Europe and around the world is so strong. It’s good fun to race against these guys and test yourself.”

Despite the tough competition they have set themselves lofty targets.

“I want to win,” Jolliffe explained. “It would be nice to win, but it’s about gaining as much experience as we can at such a high level. It would great to get a medal.”

Raybould continued: “We have two opportunities to impress at the Worlds and at the Europeans.

“At our age we’re looking to gain as much experience as possible.”

They will both have a summer to focus on their cycling as they have both finished their studies at college. Their next quest, after their tough run of competitions, will be impressing their coaches enough to earn a spot on the development team that is based full-time in Manchester.

This could lead to them emulating gold medal stars such as Jason Kenny and Laura Trott at the Olympics.

It’s a fair way off, but these two ambitious teenagers are dreaming big.

* Jolliffe and Raybould are supported by Weymouth Town Charities, Mud Sweat n Gears and Ocean Therapy.