PrePro

Four-times Grand Prix winner Gordon Crockard is the first motocross rider on the show. Gordy was never hailed as a child phenom so he was as surprised as anyone when he holeshotted the first GP that he lined up for.

In what has been hailed as the greatest MTB moment of the decade Danny Hart appeared to burst onto the scene in 2011 by winning the UCI Downhill Mountain Bike World Championships in Champéry. However, the quiet and assuming Englishman had been gradually climbing up the ranks since turning pro in 2008.

Becoming an Olympic champion and a Tour de France race winner may change some people but not Geraint Thomas. He’s still the same old ‘G’ that started out riding bikes with the Maindy Flyers.

Team Ineos cyclist Luke Rowe is the most selfless athlete I know. Every July he sacrifices his own race to help his team leaders to glory in the Tour de France. You don’t get much more noble than that in sport.

Finland has had a number of Formula 1 world champions and Valtteri Bottas' name could soon be added to that list. Like many his career started out in karting but during his formative years he juggled both four wheels and ice hockey. Check out photos on @Prepropodcast instagram

Mark Webber is one of the most successful drivers ever to come out of Australia. Persistence earned Mark his first go-kart. In fact, persistence earned Mark everything that he has achieved throughout his incredible racing career. check out photos @prepropodcast instagram

Marco Melandri won his first Grand Prix back in 1998 when he was just a kid. On the eve of his final race before retirement Marco sat down with Eugene, one of his greatest rivals, to reminisce. Check out photos on @prepropodcasrt Instagram.

Chaz Davies has stood on a World Championship podium in every season since 2010. However, people often forget that the eight seasons prior were a rollercoaster for the Welshman fighting to prove himself on the world stage. For Photos check out @prepropodcast instagram

The first woman on the show is Australian cyclist Tiffany Cromwell. Discovered by a Talent Identification program at 14 Tiff has enjoyed the best part of a decade as a pro and she's still going strong with her sights set on the 2020 Olympics. For photos check out @prepropodcast instagram

Dublin's Greg Callaghan is Ireland's only professional mountainbike rider. Before breaking through to the pro ranks Greg was living out of his van and banking on prize money to pay for diesel. For photos check out @prepropodcast instagram

A 32 year racing career is no mean feat. Even more impressive is the fact that Scotsman Allan McNish won the World Endurance Championship in his final season before bowing out of competition for good. for photos go to @prepropodcast instagram

The second Kiwi on the show is Formula E race winner Mitch Evans. After winning the GP3 Series in 2012 aged just 18 Mitch had his sights set on F1 but motorsport can be a cruel mistress. For photos go to @prepropodcast instagram

Australian Mick Doohan needs no introduction. From 1994 to 1998 Mick won five consecutive 500cc Grand Prix world titles. Moreover, he's a top man. For photos go to @prepropodcast instagram

The Laverty brothers are the epitome of the accidental professionals. Growing up in Toomebridge riding bikes for fun they soon found themselves on British and World championship podiums. For photos go to @prepropodcast instagram

A fourteen year pro, Irishman Phil Deignan has lived through both the best and worst eras of cycling. Phil talks through his career with typical modesty and good humour in a way that only a Donegal man can. Check out pictures on @prepropodcast Instagram

Belgium isn't historically a country known for racing car drivers but Stoffel Vandoorne took to four wheels like a duck to water winning title after title on his way to Formula 1. For photos go to @prepropodcast instagram.

Jeremy McWilliams is one of the grittiest riders ever to put his leg over a motorbike. Already 29 before he entered Grand Prix racing, Jeremy fought hard to become a factory rider and a GP winner at 37 years of age. For photos goes to @prepropodcast instagram.

Being the son of a cycling legend can have its advantages but there's always a flip-side. Nico Roche tells Eugene about his journey to becoming a professional cyclist. For Photos go to @prepropodcast instagram account.

The first racing car driver to be summoned by Eugene Laverty is Kiwi Brendon Hartley. Not one to give up easily, Brendon fought for a decade to break through to the pro ranks. To see photos of Brendon #PrePro go to @prepropodcast on instagram

In the first episode of PrePro Eugene speaks with MotoGP rider Bradley Smith about his path to becoming a Grand Prix rider at just 15 years of age.