British Cycling's Ride of the Year 2011: The Nominations
British women’s team pursuit World Championship title
What: UCI Track Cycling World Championships
Where: Omnisport Velodrome, Apeldoorn, Netherlands
When: March 24
How it unfolded:
The perfect team is created when everything is given and nothing is taken for granted. Where youth and experience meet. When any weakness becomes a combined strength. When greed evaporates and the common good is reached.
The World Championship-winning ride by Dani King, Wendy Houvenaghel and Laura Trott in the women’s Team Pursuit served as a reminder of all these virtues; as the American team broke under the pressure, the Brits crossed the line runaway winners.
For Houvenaghel it was a third team pursuit rainbow jersey, but for King and Trott – with a combined age of just 38 – it was a first ever World Championship experience and the heralding of a new era of British Cycling stars – their professionalism on and off the track turning the ride into an ambassador for cycling, with new riders bringing a refreshed enthusiasm to the team.
Ultimately, it was the catalyst for a year when new World Champions were the biggest news – from the team pursuiters, to Danny Hart, Mark Cavendish and Lucy Garner.
What they said
Laura Trott:
“It feels absolutely amazing, but I couldn’t have done it without the two girls, it’s just amazing, such a great feeling. I see this taking me to 2012 to be honest, it’s only a stepping stone, we’ve got to look to do it next year again at the Worlds and then head to London.”
Dani King:
“I didn’t ever imagine I would be on the podium collecting the rainbow jersey, it’s absolutely amazing, it’s been a whirlwind for me and I couldn’t have done it without the team, absolutely fantastic. We’ve been working so hard over the past five months and put everything into it and done our best ride tonight and the result has come, so we’re proud. This is just another step toward London 2012.”
Wendy Houvenaghel:
“This was such a relief in some respects, it was a great ride and we worked together so well as a team and I am so pleased we have come away with the gold this time. Everyone brings different attributes to this event and it was very much a team effort. This is my third medal in the event and it ranks up there with the best, it’s amazing, I’m so pleased it’s a real privilege to have ridden with these two girls and pull on the rainbow jersey again."
Why should this be the British Cycling's Ride of the Year 2011?
The antithesis of what makes the British Cycling team great, the future of British women’s track racing showcased in 2011; expected to arrive in London 2012.
You can place your vote for British Cycling’s Ride of the Year 2011 here. Please note voting opens at 9am on 15 December once all the nominations have been revealed and closes at 5pm on 18 December 2011.
