Jack Ravenscroft will be representing Team Cycleguard as the opening round of StreetVelodrome UK 2015 - the world's only pop-up track cycling series - takes place in Paisley, Renfrewshire, next weekend (May 30).

The event is open to members of the public and it was as a rookie StreetVelodrome racer last year that Jack - typically more at home in the world of cyclocross and cross-country mountain biking - first caught the eye of organisers when he claimed a second place finish.

Jack has been racing bikes since the age of 10 and is a former British national cyclocross youth champion. The 19-year-old, who has raced at world level, has racked up an impressive collection of podium finishes including winning two rounds of the men's junior 2014 British National Cross-Country MTB Series.

Originally from Birmingham, Jack is now based at the University of Stirling where he is studying environmental science and has become a familiar face on the Scottish cycling scene.

A man more commonly found traversing rugged and mud-splattered trails, here Jack shares how he fell in love with StreetVelodrome racing.

You took part in StreetVelodrome for the first time last summer, what was that like?

I was impressed by the accessibility and sheer fun of the event in such a public setting. Most of the time when I race MTB the venues are tucked away in the woods far from the public eye so it's great to be seen by so many people, and best of all they could get stuck in too.

That event - in which you raced as an amateur - saw you claim silver for Team Velotec. Did you expect to do so well?

I didn't know what to expect really. When I first saw the bankings I was slightly intimidated. They seemed tight and difficult to ride at speed. Thankfully when I rode them they turned out to be smooth and fast. Having said that, there were some guys who seemed a lot bigger and faster than me, but I suppose my technical skills came in handy in the end.

On the back of that success, you were invited to race as a pro rider for 2015 representing Team Cycleguard. Tell us a bit about what your role entails?

Aside from going all-out in my races, my role involves helping along the amateur riders who make it into the semi-finals, giving them tips on how to race faster and hopefully bring our team to victory.

How does StreetVelodrome contrast with your usual disciplines of cross-country mountain biking and cyclocross?

The main difference between StreetVelodrome and my "day job" is the distance. In mountain biking I race for the best part of two hours whereas StreetVelodrome races are over inside 30 seconds. Having said that, both mountain bike and cyclocross races are a series of short, intense efforts up climbs or out of corners so power is crucial as well as the ability to commit to technical features.

Are you looking forward to racing in Paisley in the opening round?

Definitely, since moving to Scotland for university I have made plenty of connections in the Scottish cycling community. My friends at Thomsons Cycles are literally just around the corner and I'm sure I'll see plenty of other familiar faces cheering me on.

Who will be your biggest rivals in this year's series?

The one rider I'm looking forward to facing the most is "Mad Dave" Johnson. He's a freestyle BMXer and he has no fear.

His pace around the corners is something to behold but he's a super nice guy who is always willing to pass on words of wisdom about how to hit those corners as quickly as is humanly possible.

What advice would you give to amateur riders considering giving it a go?

The best thing to do around the corners is to go with the flow. The bankings are really well built and will take you around safely and quickly if you relax and let them.

How did you get started in cycling?

My dad has always been a keen cyclist. One day he decided to take me to the local velodrome which got me interested in cycling in general. Then when the winter came round and I did my first cyclocross race. I was totally hooked on the off-road disciplines especially.

What is the biggest adversity you have had to overcome?

Funnily enough it would probably be coming to university, which I didn't expect considering Stirling is such a sport-orientated university.

Having to look after myself and most crucially motivate myself to train has proven to be really hard, especially when all the other distractions of university life are ever present.

Beyond StreetVelodrome what are your ambitions in cycling?

To keep having fun and get into a good routine where I'm training well and consistently. Hopefully that can get me further up the ranks of elite cycling.

The best part of racing is going abroad and pitching myself against the best in the world so if I can get to a place where I'm doing that regularly I'll be happy.

Do you have a motto or philosophy on the bike?

Smash it. Cycling is such a cathartic experience for me that my best experiences come when I'm pushing my limits. StreetVelodrome is great in that respect, because it's essentially a flat-out effort where you can lay everything down on the track.

Describe your racing style in five words.

Eager. Intense. Committed. Ragged. Tough.

The opening round of StreetVelodrome UK 2015 comes to County Square, Paisley, from 9am-6pm on May 30. For more information, visit streetvelodrome.co.uk and renfrewshire.gov.uk