Sean Flynn 'more motivated than ever' to make Tour de France after Edinburgh lands Grand Depart

Scottish cycling hopeful Sean Flynn says he’ll be giving it all to be on the starting line when the Tour de France rolls into his home town of Edinburgh.

Last week’s announcement that the Grand Départs will take place in Scotland for the first time has sparked huge excitement from cycling fans, and also from one of the athletes who has ambitions to be part of the action.

Flynn is climbing the ranks after only moving to road racing two years ago and believes he can fly the flag for Scotland when the world’s most famous bike race comes to the capital.

“I feel like it’s almost not sunk in that it’s going to be in Edinburgh,” he told STV. “I think until it’s there it’s going to feel like a dream.

“I didn’t think it was possible to be more motivated to go to the Tour ever.

“I’m going to be giving it my absolute best over the years in order to earn my spot there.”

Flynn and his compatriot Oscar Onley, who ride together for the Dutch team Picnic, are currently the only Scottish men racing on the world tour level. Representing his county at the top of the sport is something Flynn says is on his mind.

“I definitely feel the responsibility to try and carry that flag,” he added. “I hope to get to a level where not only can I be there and be one of the guys who is at that level.”

The 25-year-old races in Italy, Belgium, and France in the coming weeks, and he is building up to gain more experience on the Grand Tours this summer. Flynn says it’s a thrill being part of the big races and thinks being part of the peloton in Edinburgh would really be something special.

“Before I was actually in these races it was so exciting to have the possibility of watching,” he said. “So to make people happy like that is really nice.

“I really think that the atmosphere in Scotland is going to be incredible.”