Fierce Competition for Sprinters and Worlds Selection
March 22, 2007
By Larry Hickmott (larryhickmott@britishcycling.org.uk)
Home Page Track Worlds (Our exclusive coverage of the event)
One visit to the Sprint camp at the Great Britain Cycling Team’s World Track Championship training camp and there was no doubt there is now strength in depth in the team. At this point in time for the 2007 Track Worlds, there are the experienced campaigners (MacLean, Hoy, Queally, Staff) battling with the up and coming riders (Edgar, Crampton and Kenny) for places in prized events like the Team Sprint.
During training, there is a good natured atmosphere in the camp and laughter is never far away but come selection time, there are winners and losers and no-one can under estimate the disappointment felt by those missing out. They all knew they had to be at their very best to get selected.
Chris Hoy keeping consultant coach Jan van Eijden happy during the training camp this week.
For some, like triple World Junior Champion last year, Jason Kenny, it was an especially tough lesson and the first year senior missed out on selection and remains at home but at 18, his time will surely come having made such quick progress like that shown in the World Track Cups this season. It’s the type of experience that will make riders like Kenny hungry, not just to make the team in the future but also stamp their authority on it.
Other riders like Jamie Staff and Jason Queally have had to deal with illness and whilst the Sydney Olympic champion Jason Queally doesn’t go because of his battle with chicken pox, former World Keirin Champion Jamie Staff is down to ride the Kilometre and will also be a reserve for the Team Sprint. After the trials, Jamie was back on the track, still working on efforts for the Man 1 spot and working with the team analysts to improve his position on the bike.
Having been a World Champion in the Team Sprint, 2002 and 2005, Jamie is aware that there is still a lot to play for before the competition kicks off on March 29 and he is also aware that he may get a ride depending on what happens between now and day 1 of the competition starting. Not for nothing is GB proud of its strength in depth for the event and has made it clear it won’t be afraid to make hard changes to win Gold as it has in previous years.
The rest of the mens team travelling to Majorca are well known and experienced riders in major competitions and during the training camp this week, BritishCycling.org.uk caught up with them.
Chris Hoy
The only British rider to win Gold at the last Track Worlds was Chris Hoy when he was fastest over a kilometre to win his third title in that event. This year, a different focus and the Team Sprint. Asked what being selected for that event meant to him, he says
“it’s been very important. All of us have been working really hard this year to get selected because this years Worlds are a major stepping stone to the Olympics.”
More of the interview here ...>>>>>
Craig MacLean
At the time we spoke to the Scottish highlander who won two Silver medals at last year’s Track Worlds, he was preparing to ride the Team Sprint (Man 1) and the Match Sprint competition at the Track World Championships. “At the moment, there is only Jamie and I competing for the Man 1 spot and he’s had some ups and down in the last few weeks. Although they have named the initial starting line up, over the next few weeks that could potentially change and I am certainly not resting on my laurels.”
More of the interview here ...>>>>>
Ross Edgar
Having been in the GB team since 2002, 24 year old Ross has experienced success at the Commonwealth Games (3 medals of all colours) and World Track Cups, but is still searching for a World Championship medal. Palma may well be the event that changes that after he made the Team Sprint line-up for the World Championships. It is the Holy Grail event for the sprinters and to make the initial line-up of three to do the race was a major achievement for him.
More of the interview here ...>>>>>
Matthew Crampton
The youngest male rider in the Sprint team going to Palma, 20, Matthew Crampton had to fight hard for selection with triple Junior World Champion Jason Kenny and the other sprinters and said of his selection “It is good to get selected with there being strong competition for places now. Especially after Manchester World Track Cup where I didn’t get a hit out except in the Sprint. I think I under performed a little bit at the trial too but it was enough to help me keep my spot in the team”.
More of the interview here ...>>>>>
RELATED LINKS
World Championship Debutantes (Blyth, Reade, Romero and Curtis)
Bradley Wiggins Pre Worlds Interview
