Great Britain Cycling Team Olympic Programmes

 

History

The Lottery-funded programme to support the Great Britain Cycling Team was formed in winter of 1997/8, following the introduction of Lottery funding for a number of Olympic sports. Known initially as the World Class Performance Programme (the generic name for all Lottery-funded elite sport programmes) or WCPP, the programme produced a sea-change in the way elite cyclists are trained and supported in the UK.

For the first time, athletes were free to devote themselves to their training, without the constraints of having to work or seek sponsorship. With personal funding direct from the sports councils, they became full-time professionals. Further funding was channeled through British Cycling to equip the team, provide support staff and cover event and training costs and a number of other essential support services.

Performances immediately began to improve and a breakthrough silver medal was won at the 1999 World Track Championships in the Team Sprint. The following summer, Jason Queally won an even more significant gold medal in the Kilo at the Sydney Olympics. There were also medals in the Team Sprint (silver), Team Pursuit (bronze) and Women's Individual Pursuit (bronze).

Since then, there have been medals at every World Senior Track Championships, with the three golds in 2002 and the four golds in 2005 particular highlights whilst in 2006 Great Britain was top nation based on the number of medals won including yet another Gold for Chris Hoy.

 

The 2004 Olympics saw the programme produce two gold medal winners in Bradley Wiggins (Pursuit) and Chris Hoy (Kilo) - pictured - as well as a silver (Team Pursuit) and bronze (Madison). In 2006, the Team provided many of the home countries with athletes who made it the most successful Commonwealth Games ever in terms of the cycling medals won by nations including the Isle of Man, Scotland, Wales and England.

 

There is also a parallel Paralympic cycling programme, which has produced record numbers of Paralympic and World champions.

 

In 2004, an Under-23 Olympic Academy programme was added and the following year a Junior-focused Development programme was launched. Underpinning all the programmes is the Talent Team programme, launched in 2002, which is regionally based and identifies talented young athletes.

 

The Programmes

Following the Athens Olympics, the elite programme was re-named the "Olympic Podium Programme". This was then reflected in the naming of the other programmes. The full structure and naming is as follows:

Olympic Podium Programme - senior elite athletes in Track Sprinting, Men's Track Endurance, Women's Endurance, Cross-Country Mountain Biking, and BMX. Riders in this programme are expected to be seasoned world-class performers with a track record of success at the highest level. Athletes are full-time on the programme and generally based near the team's Manchester HQ. Athletes may also be members of professional (trade) teams, receiving additional support from the programme. More Information >>>>

 

Olympic Academy Programme - riders aged typically 18 to 23 and exceptional athletes with the clear potential to become world-class performers. The programme aims to add the final technical polish, whilst building up training loads to those likely to be experienced by the senior elite athletes. Athletes are full-time on the programme and typically following a residential model. More Information >>>>

 

Olympic Development Programme - riders aged typically 16 to 18, who are already experienced and focused on a career in professional cycling. The programme aims to add technical experience, including experience of preparing for major (junior) championships, plus conditioning. Athletes are typically still in education and focus on intense training camps, whilst still living at home. More Information >>>>

 

Olympic Talent Team - a regionally based programme aimed at finding talented young riders, typically aged 14-16 and preparing them for transition to the higher programmes. More Information >>>>

 

Paralympic Team - athletes competing in four disability categories, primarily in Track, Road Race and Time Trial disciplines. More Information >>>>

GB Cycling Team 2006 World Champions
In 2006, riders in the Great Britain Cycling team were the winner of many World Championships. These include:

TRACK
Chris Hoy (Senior): World Kilometre

Jason Kenny (Junior): Team Sprint, Keirin and Sprint
David Daniell (Junior): Team Sprint
Christian Lyte (Junior): Team Sprint
Anna Blyth (Junior): Womens Keirin
Peter Kennaugh (Junior): Mens Scratch

BMX
Shanaze Reade (Junior): Gold (Junior Women)

PARALYMPIC
David Stone: Road Race & Time Trial (CP2 Trike)
Anthony Kappes (Barney Storey): Sprint, Kilo TT
Sarah Bailey: LC1 Pursuit
Darren Kenny: CP3 Pursuit, CP3 Kilo
Jody Cundy: LC2 Kilo
Aileen McGlynn (Ellen Hunter): B & VI Kilo