The nominations
Dannielle Khan wins sprint title at UCI Juniors Track World Championships
Event: UCI Juniors Track World Championships
When: 9 August 2013
Where: Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, Emirates Arena, Glasgow
How it unfolded
Prior to appearing on the scene in 2011, former Great Britain speed skater Dannielle Khan was a relatively unknown quantity in the world of track cycling. Yet after some impressive performances from the word go Khan quickly earned a place on the British Cycling Olympic Development Programme.
Khan joined Solihull Cycling Club as a form of off-season training and, after riding at some DHL Sprint Schools and regional schools of racing she, in her own words, 'became hooked very quickly'.
Khan then entered the British Junior National Track Championships and became double national champion in her first year. Just 24 months later, the highlight of her career was about to unfold when she was the sole female sprinter selected for the UCI Juniors Track World Championships.
Hot on the heels of her rainbow jersey win in the 500m time trial the previous evening, Khan stepped up to the sprint qualification and posted the fastest time, covering the 200m in 11.532 seconds. Khan breezed into the semi-finals again showcasing a class of riding that belies her experience earning a place in the gold medal final.
Khan lost the first ride in a best of three but showed her composure and fought back strongly in the second race and attacked with a lap to go, holding off her opponent to cross the finish line first taking the competition to the decider.
With the crowd on the edge of their seats, Khan led out her opponent in race three, and although they were alongside in the final corner, Khan’s determination secured victory and a second rainbow jersey.
What they said
Speaking after the race, a delighted Khan revealed: “I can’t really believe it, I think it will take a while to sink in.”
“I came to these championships knowing my form was good and that my training had gone well but I never expected to win one world title let alone two! I made a mistake in my first race and I felt a bit gutted but you can’t always have it your way and I knew that I really, really wanted the second world title so I put everything into those last two rides.”
Why should this be the British Cycling Ride of the Year 2013?
Track cycling has seen some of the biggest performance advancements in recent times and the 2013 juniors track world championships were no exception.
This was Khan’s first outing at this level and as a final year Olympic Development Programme rider looking for academy selection there was a lot at stake entering the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in August.
Khan made her way to the final with ease but showed great composure and strength coming back from 1-0 in the final to take the rainbow jersey and to prove to the world that she is a name not to be ignored.
