Giro d'Italia next stop on Flynn's 'nice journey'

Sean Flynn at the Tour de France last summer [Getty Images]

As the only Scot in the field at the prestigious Giro d'Italia, Sean Flynn admits he is surprised at the progress he has made since switching from mountain biking to top level road racing five years ago.

The 26-year-old from Edinburgh will be rubbing shoulders with some of the sport's biggest names when the event gets under way in Bulgaria on Friday.

With experience of the Tour de France and the Vuelta a Espana, Flynn can now tick off all three Grand Tours.

The Team Picnic-PostNL rider said: "When I first made the switch (from mountain biking) I wouldn't have expected probably to get as far as I have.

"The first couple of years, the progression is really fast and then after that you have to look harder for ways to progress. That's a challenge but I am enjoying it, while exploring my leadership and captain's role in the team.

"It has been a nice journey and I think I take a lot of my attributes physically and technically from my offroad racing when I was younger."

• Onley eyes Tour podium 'in next couple of years'

Flynn and fellow countryman, Oscar Onley, made history at last year's Tour de France with it being the first time two Scots competed in the event.

Onley went on to finish fourth, equalling the best performance by a Scottish rider, while team-mate Flynn was 134th in the general classification after more than 81 hours in the saddle.

"Over the last couple of years we have become used to, alongside Oscar, taking on this 'first Scot in a while' kind of a thing and that is always a nice reminder of where we have managed to get to and what we are doing.

"In a few years it is not going to be so unusual to have Scots at the start of these races so maybe I play a small part in that which is cool.

"I don't really compare myself too much with Oscar. What he has achieved is just incredible and I am proud to have been a small part in that at times.

"I suppose here I am starting a race where he isn't. I'm sure Oscar will be along to the Giro soon to probably get his arms in the air. I will have to up my game to be able to get to that stage before him.