14.01.00: Well, it's finally happened. After 10 seasons of trying I've finally got myself a pro contract. The ball, as the cliché goes, is now firmly established in my court.

Life as a new pro started in December when I gave up the day job at Marks & Spencer, it was then that the task of stacking in the steady miles began. Riding during daylight hours in the winter certainly was a novelty to me!

My program starts with the Tour Down Under, it's then onto The Tour Langkawi, so it was important to get a good fitness base on board. (Also I didn't fancy getting a good caning from Yatesey - I'd heard horror stories from last year's training camp about how strong he was going).

Met the rest of the lads in the team at Charles de Gaul airport on route to Oz. They are a good bunch and we all got along from the off. Spencer Smith is right character - nothing phases him and I think he'll surprise a few people this season. Pascal Richard is Mr. Cool but fitted in straight away cracking jokes - he's going to be the joker of the team, even if he can't talk much English yet.

After an exhausting and lengthy trip we finally landed in Adelaide to glorious sunshine. The hotel overlooks miles of golden sandy beach with a crystal blue sea breaking on it's shore - what a backdrop to the start of the season! I'll recall and lament the distant memory of this scene when I'm battling for a place in an echelon in Belgium, with driving sleet stinging my face, chewing god-knows-what thrown off the back wheel of the guy in front, whilst churning 53x11 because my hands are so frozen I can't shift my STI levers. Oh, the romance.

Sharing a room with Pascal Richard and Maurizio de Pasquale is an experience. They are so laid back it's untrue. Everything has to be "tranquilo". It's all lying around bollock naked admiring each other's suntans or muscle definition. Luckily my French is ok so I can talk to Pascal who can then translate into Italian when I need to chat to Maurizio. I've bought an Italian phrase book and dictionary as I'm determined to learn some Italian.

The new team kit arrived and it looks good. It's sharper and more 'pro' than last year. We can now go out and look the part.

I'm the keenest and most determined that I have ever been. I'm also feeling confident and strong. Being part of a professional set up like this, with the riders and personnel we have is a dream come true. It's now up to me. Matt.