Great Britain Cycling Team’s Ciara Horne is hoping to cement her position in the women’s team pursuit squad in the run-up to the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio, starting with a strong performance in the first round of the 2014/15 UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Guadalajara, Mexico from 7 to 9 November.

The 25-year-old from Warwickshire has seen her career go from strength-to-strength in the past two years, culminating in taking the European team pursuit title alongside world champions Katie Archibald, Elinor Barker, Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell in October.

The performance has earned the former swimmer and triathlete her first ride for Great Britain at world level on the track, Horne having ridden two full winter seasons with the Team USN in 2012 and 2013.

Horne hopes to take her European performance in Guadeloupe to the next level when she competes in the team pursuit in Mexico and was excited to recall her first outing with the record-breaking Great Britain squad.

"I wasn't in the qualifier but it was a brilliant opportunity to cheer on my teammates,” said Horne. “I felt very proud watching them qualify first - that was awesome. I see, day in, day out, how much hard work they all put in.

"The following day I was called up for the semi-final and the final. It was a huge opportunity. I came off and I was absolutely buzzing.”

Horne’s European success with Great Britain came after wearing the squad’s colours on the road, riding in support of Lucy Garner in May 2014’s Friends Life Women’s Tour, before representing Wales on the track in the Commonwealth Games.

Horne’s talent had however, long since been on the radar of Great Britain’s track coaches, having ridden under the tutelage of Welsh Cycling’s Darren Tudor for a number of seasons.

A trial with Great Britain beckoned before Horne made the move to Manchester in August 2014 to train full time with the Great Britain team.

“Being in Manchester, given this opportunity is brilliant,” Horne said. “Just thinking about all the little things, day in, day out; your changes, your line, so many things to think about with the event.

“We've got brilliant, world-class coaches, world-class facilities, constantly learning and that's helped me develop as an athlete."

Horne is well-acquainted with the Guadalajara venue, having competed there with Team USN in the final round of the 2013/14 season. Horne is likely to play a more central role in the team pursuit in the absence of Joanna Rowsell, with Team USN teammate Amy Roberts also travelling to Mexico.

"It's a good opportunity for me to step up and be able to hopefully put in some bigger turns, maybe try a different position out,” she said. “I'd like to build on my European performance and hopefully make some more improvements yet again.”

Although at 25 one of the older members of the team pursuit line-up, Horne has only been involved in cycling since 2009, when she made the switch from elite triathlon after a spending much of her childhood and adolescence as a competitive swimmer, experience that the physiotherapy graduate draws on in her new role in Great Britain Cycling Team’s most successful track outfit.

“I've got a lot of experience with elite sport and I think that's helped me with this environment,” Horne said.

"Also, with it being such a friendly environment with the girls. From day one I was over at Katie and Elinor's having dinner and stuff. They've been incredible, they've supported me throughout.

"It's just an awesome team to be part of. I'm honoured to be part of this team."

Mexico is the first step of an exciting journey for Horne, who is determined to become an integral part of the team pursuit equation all the way Rio.

"The main goal for me is to try and get a spot at the world championships for the women's team pursuit and the biggest goal for me is Rio,” Horne affirmed.

“More, than anything I want to be on that start line in the team pursuit. That's a dream goal and I'm going to do everything I can to achieve that.”

Round one of the 2014/15 UCI Track Cycling World Cup takes place in Guadalajara, Mexico from 7 to 9 October. Reports and reaction will appear on the British Cycling website.