Team GB Cyclists For Beijing Olympics

 

Story posted July 8, 2008

 

The cyclists who have been selected as part of Team GB for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games are as follows:

 

The athletes are:

BMX
Shanaze Reade (Women’s BMX)
Liam Phillips (Men's BMX)
 

Mountain Bike
Oliver Beckingsale
Liam Killeen

 

Road
Jonny Bellis (Men’s Road Race)
Steve Cummings (Men’s Road Race & Individual Time Trial)
Roger Hammond (Men’s Road Race)
Ben Swift (Men’s Road Race)
Nicole Cooke (Women’s Road Race)
Sharon Laws (Women’s Road Race)
Emma Pooley (Women’s Road Race)

 

Track
Steven Burke (Team Pursuit)
Mark Cavendish (Madison)
Edward Clancy (Team Pursuit)
Ross Edgar (Team Sprint and Keirin)
Chris Hoy (Sprint, Team Sprint and Keirin)
Jason Kenny (Sprint and Team Sprint)
Paul Manning (Team Pursuit)
Chris Newton (Points Race)
Victoria Pendleton (Sprint)
Rebecca Romero (Women's Pursuit and Points Race)
Jamie Staff (Team Sprint)
Geraint Thomas (Team Pursuit)
Bradley Wiggins (Individual Pursuit, Team Pursuit and Madison)
Wendy Houvenaghel (Women’s Individual Pursuit)

Commenting on their selection:

 

Brian Cookson OBE - President, British Cycling: "On behalf of the Board and of the members of British Cycling, I would like to congratulate all those who have been selected and wish the whole team every success. I know a massive amount of work has been put in by everyone concerned, not just the riders themselves, but also by every single member of the support staff, and I am sure because of this, that the team will live up to the high standards we have now come to expect.

I also want to spare a thought for those who have come so close but not been selected for the team. Many world class performers have been left out, such is our strength in depth, and I can only offer my commiserations and thank them for their efforts.

That said, I am delighted with the selections and convinced that this team will bring home the best ever set of results. Nothing can ever be guaranteed in elite sport, but British cycling fans can look forward to Beijing with confidence - there is no doubt that this is the best British Olympic cycling team of the modern era."

 

Dave Brailsford, Britsh Cycling Performance Director and Team GB Cycling Team Leader for the Beijing 2008 Olympic Games said: “The Great Britain Cycling team has continued to develop to such a point where it is clearly both the strongest and most professional Cycling team from Great Britain in living memory.  The very tough selection decisions which had to be made are a testament to the strength and depth of talent within our programme.  In keeping with the overall philosophy of the Great Britain Cycling team this squad will leave no stone unturned in its quest for success.”

 

Oli Beckingsale: “It’s great to be selected, and a relief! This will be my third Olympic Games and I believe it will be my best by a long way. In the last few years I’ve been riding better than ever and I believe I will produce a personal best performance at these Games.”

 

Chris Hoy: “I’m delighted to be named in the squad for the Beijing Olympics, particularly given the very high standard of competition for places. I’m looking forward to getting out there and showing how good British cycling is and to having a successful Games.”

 

Victoria Pendleton: “I’m really pleased to be selected. It’s an honour to be selected especially in such a strong squad. I’m looking forward to going to Beijing and building on my form from the Worlds in Manchester earlier this year.”

 

Rebecca Romero: “Having already been to the Olympics as a rower and then retired I never thought I’d return to the Games. Having taken up cycling my aim was to qualify and getting the selection letter made it real that I was going; and not only am I going but I’m going as the World’s number one!”

 

Simon Clegg, Team GB 2008 Chef de Mission, said: “The recent performances at the World Track Cycling Championships in Manchester should give these athletes considerable confidence going into Beijing. Cycling delivered considerable success for Team GB in Athens and all the indications are that this talented group of cyclists will achieve significant podium results in Beijing. We wish them all the best as they make their final preparations before the Games.”