So why exactly is such an emphasis placed on winter training? For starters, it offers a good base for the season ahead – but that is not all you should be looking to get from it.

Ellingworth explains: “Winter training is very important, but it’s not just about getting in the base miles – that is something a lot of people get wrong. At this time of year especially, it is important instead to be recharging.

“If you look at us at Team Sky now, we had a lot of injuries and illness during the year so there is a core group of riders who have done a hell of a lot of racing and they’re quite tired.

“It is no good us looking at them now and, when they’re drained from the season, trying to get them straight into big long efforts.

“Now is the time of year for putting something back into the battery – recharging. Keep the intensity low, with shorter efforts. And that goes for the amateur riders too.

“When out on a ride, what we like to do is just get the legs turning and then maybe put a few short efforts in there – perhaps six to 20 seconds of riding full gas or pulling a big gear just to keep the intensity there and put some power in the legs.

“A few short sessions like that on a ride should do that. When you’re out on the club run, racing for lampposts or the town signs is still a really good way of putting out those efforts.”