Car manufacturer Škoda has teamed up with 10-time Paralympic champion Dame Sarah Storey to launch a cycling academy for female cyclists who have aspirations to compete professionally.

The Škoda DSI Cycling Academy is open to female cyclists aged between 17-25 and aims to provide young amateur cyclists with a pathway to the elite level.

It will give riders the experience of being a professional rider, covering the performance, nutrition and media profile required to be a modern-day professional cyclist.

Fifty applicants were invited to a testing day, taking place today (Monday 10 June) at the Lee Valley VeloPark where they will receive mentoring from Storey and compete for a place on the programme.

Cyclists will undertake a number of tests and a 12-minute steady state challenge, after which the five best-performing cyclists will be handpicked by Storey, who has been appointed as Academy Principal.

The Academy experience will also act as an extended trial with Storey Racing, Dame Sarah Storey’s professional race team.

While not guaranteed, each rider has a chance to secure a place in the team, dependent on their performance throughout the programme and the discretion of Dame Sarah Storey.

“Škoda is a strong advocate for gender equality in professional cycling,” said Storey.

“The Škoda DSI Cycling Academy is about promoting women within our sport, creating opportunities and clearing a path to race on a professional level.”