Welsh Cycling congratulate riders selected to compete at Gold Coast 2018

Welsh Cycling congratulate riders selected to compete at Gold Coast 2018

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The Team is now complete as remaining Cyclists who will represent Wales at the Commonwealth Games are confirmed.

Matt Cosgrove, Performance Director for Welsh Cycling said: “Team Wales achieved its best results ever at a Commonwealth Games in Glasgow 2014, with Welsh cyclists bringing home 5 medals across road, track and para-cycling events.

“The Athlete Nomination Policy allowed us to nominate a strong group of athletes to Commonwealth Games Wales for selection to the Games, to give Team Wales the greatest chance of medal success on the Gold Coast.

“We are delighted for our nominated riders who have been selected; a result of all the hard work and dedication that they have put into their training and competition at the highest level of the sport.

“We believe this is the largest and arguably the strongest cycling team line-up Wales has ever taken to the Commonwealth Games and look forward to seeing what the team can achieve out in Gold Coast”.

With a tally of seven UCI Track Cycling World Championship medals including 3 World titles, five UEC European Track Championship medals and two Commonwealth Games medals, Olympic Champion Elinor Barker MBE makes for a strong contender at Gold Coast 2018.

Team Sky rider Luke Rowe is looking hopeful on his recovery from a broken leg, and will represent Wales at the games for the third time. It will also be a third time for Lewis Olivia, following a successful Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Cup season, winning both keirin silver in Canada and bronze in Belarus. World Cup medalilsts Jon Mould and Sam Harrison will also take on the track.

Former double European and World Championships medalist Ciara Horne forms part of the Welsh team, alongside three-times World Champion and Olympic gold medalist and newly Welsh eligible rider Dani Rowe MBE.

Piloting Rhiannon Henry at Glasgow 2014, Rachel James; sister of double Olympic Medallist Becky James, will go it alone during Gold Coast 2018 on the track, World Cup and European Championship medalist Manon Lloyd will make her Commonwealth Games debut alongside fellow first timer Ellie Coster.

Three time Welsh Mountain Bike Cross country champion and current Elite Welsh Road Champion, Dylan Kerfoot-Robson has been selected; as well as Dan Pearson, Pete Kibble, Zach May and British Cycling Academy riders Rhys Britton, Joe Holt and Ethan Vernon.

Hayley Jones and British Cycling Academy riders Jessica Roberts and Megan Barker complete the line-up.

The riders will join para-cyclist James Ball who was announced to be competing at the games back in December piloted by Pete Michell. They will represent Wales at Gold Coast in the men’s blind and visually impaired tandem events; both of which James is current World Champion.

Darren Tudor, Head Coach at Welsh Cycling added “We are really proud of the team that’s been selected for Gold Coast.

“We have a great mix of experience within the team, with the likes of Luke Rowe bringing his world tour experience to the road team, and many of the riders competing at the games for the third time.

“We have seen significant progression amongst the younger riders, who we hope Gold coast 2018 will be the first of many commonwealth games for them.

“They have really stepped up over the last 12 months to earn a well-deserved spot on the team and eager to deliver great performances.

“We are confident that the wealth of experience amongst the selected riders, who many have competed across the world stage in many disciplines; truly display the depth of sporting talent Wales has to offer”

Taking place 4-15 April 2018 in Queensland, Australia, events will predominantly take place on the Gold Coast, with Brisbane, Townsville and Cairns also playing host to a selection of competitions.

The Team Wales Cycling Team for Gold Coast 2018

Women's Endurance

Elinor Barker

Megan Barker

Ciara Horne

Hayley Jones

Manon Lloyd

Jessica Roberts

Danielle Rowe

Men's Endurance

Rhys Britton

Scott Davies

Samuel Harrison

Joe Holt

Dylan Kerfoot-Robson

Peter Kibble

Zachery May

Jonathan Mould

Daniel Pearson

Luke Rowe

Ethan Vernon

Stephen Williams

Women's Sprint

Eleanor Coster

Rachel James

Men's Sprint

Lewis Oliva

Para-cycling

James Ball piloted by Pete Mitchell