British cyclist treated a sick goat before medalling at national championships

Phoebe Barker holding a goat on a farm

For most cyclists, the night before a race is reserved for winding down. It's a time for last-minute equipment tweaks, head-sized bowls of pasta, and mulling over race tactics. Then, once the to-do list has been completed, it’s off to bed for an early night. 

Things aren't always so simple, however.