SOMERSET-based NHS physiotherapist Natalie Grinczer will be competing in the biggest cycling race in the world.

The former Richard Huish College student is set to take part in the Tour de France Femmes avec Zwift this week.

She joined British Continental team Lifeplus-Wahoo earlier this month, and is now set to race the biggest event of the year.

But, just two weeks ago Natalie was working her full time job as an NHS physio, while also competing part time for her previous team, Stade Rochelais Charente-Maritime.

She told Cycling Weekly, that for someone from Taunton, she is proud of her achievements.

“I’ve done so much, I’m just someone from Taunton, who’s come to the Tour," she said.

So far this season, her race results have impressed as she has scored a number of top 10s, and finished sixth at the British National Road Championships.

“It was a bit of a whirlwind, to be honest. I wasn’t going to go,” she told Cycling Weekly on the Nationals.

“I came back [to the UK], I worked, then I flew out to Switzerland to race the Tour de Suisse, flew back, worked and then drove up really late to get to the race.

“I had no gels. I literally turned up and I had nothing. It was really good, but also stressful.” 

In the end, Grinczer’s sixth place saw her stand out as the top-ranked non-WorldTour rider across the line.

It poses the question though, if she had more time to dedicate to cycling, how far could she take it.

“If I’m not away racing, I’m working shifts,” she said.

“I was away a lot in June racing in Switzerland and the Pyrénées. On our rota system, my work are quite good and will say, ‘Ok that’s fine, but all your shifts will have to be when you come back.'

"I’ve been going alright. But it’s a double-edged sword, isn’t it? If it starts going badly, you start thinking about the sacrifice.” 

The team Grinzcer is riding for, Lifeplus Wahoo, will take seven riders to the Tour, including two British riders - Grinczer and April Tacey.

Lifeplus-Wahoo is encouraging cycling fans to #EmbraceEveryMoment and join the team in celebrating and raising awareness for the second edition of the relaunched Tour de France Femmes.

It has made 10,000 GCN+ passes available for anyone in the UK to claim for FREE.

Those wishing to sign up and receive their free GCN+ Pass can visit here: lifepluswahoo.com/embraceeverymoment