Domestique [doh-mes-teek] - noun - Cycling. a member of a bicycle-racing team who assists the leader, as by setting a pace, preventing breakaways by other teams, or supplying food during a race.

Cycling has always been part of my life, and a sport that was close to my heart when I was much younger. My Dad was a keen amateur cyclist, racing all over Australasia in different events, whilst my Uncle turned semi-professional and rode in the USA for many years without fully managing to break through to the Professional Ranks. Watching my Dad and hearing stories of my Uncle's exploits abroad was all the inspiration I needed to get out on the road myself.

I watched the major races on TV, but it wasn't the riders taking all the glory that took my interest. It was the guys who would give it their all to put their leader into a winning position, or retain the race lead that did. The likes of Michael Barry, Charley Wegelius and George Hincapie, whilst never having the palmarés like Armstrong and Basso, became my idols in cycling.

Turning Professional in 2012, I knew the path I wanted my career to take - I wanted to be just like my idols. My name is Jack Hemsworth, and this is my story as a Domestique.

Born and raised in Melbourne, Victoria, I was the second born to my parents, Stewart and Janet. We lived out in the suburbs during my younger years, and many weekends were spent on my bike, exploring the various routes and climbs which expand out around the city.

My family had a sporting history, so it seemed only normal that I would follow down that path. In my school and college days, I spent as much time on the football field, playing Aussie Rules, as I did on my bike. I think my time on the pitch was where I began understand pain and what my body could endure.

Eventually, I had to decide which path I wanted to go down, and choose between cycling and football. I'm not sure whether it was my Dad's influence, or whether I preferred the freedom of being on a bike, but there was no time taken at all in making my choice. From that point on, my life would be geared towards a career in cycling.

My coaching came in the form of my Father, and any spare time outside of college was spent on a two-wheels. Weekends and holidays involved long rides in the Alpine Resort, riding tempo and putting myself into the red. Evenings turned into criterium style circuits around the city streets, pushing harder and harder. I ended every ride with nothing left inside. The best of all, I couldn't get enough of it. I was well and truly hooked.

Leaving college, I need to put the wheel in motion to set myself on the road to the Professional Ranks. Going for long rides with your Dad is all well and good, but I need to get some racing experiences in my legs, and join a team that will give me the best chance. With help from my Dad, I managed to set myself up with Carnegie Caulfield Cycling Club, whose previous members included the likes of Baden Cooke and Simon Clarke most recently.

Riding in the team was great fun, and they help me hone in my skills on the bike. It was here that I realised my potential as a domestique than a leader. In the City Criteriums, I would pull on the front early in the race, almost hating every moment of it. However, out in the open Road Races, I would be in my element. Give me a tempo to ride on the front, especially up a climb, and I would do all day long. I began to worry about how much I liked putting others into that level of pain during the races.

In 2012, I had my breakthrough in racing. I had had a good couple of years with Carnegie Caulfield, but the time had come for me to step up. At the age of 21, I signed with Genesys Wealth Advisers Pro Cycling on two-year contract. The talent in the team was phenomenal - Nathan Earle, Anthony Giacoppo and Campbell Flakemore to name a few. If I was going to stand out here, I need to work hard.

I was brought into the squad to work for the team in the hills and mountains. I started my life with the team as water carrier, and slowly worked up to riding for our team's leaders. I loved every minute of it, especially when the work put in paid off as the team took the win.

As Earle moved to Team Sky in 2014, and the likes Flakemore and Giacoppo were eyed up for moves to BMC and Drapac as well, I wondered if my time would come. Had my hard work been spotted, or would I be like the great Domestiques in the sport, riding unnoticed as the leader takes all the glory?