When Emily went to watch her cousins compete in the British School’s Championships, she’s never thought that she would actually get to take part, let alone finish in a podium position. From that point, it was clear that Emily had a talent for cycling, one that has taken her to success in a variety of disciplines.
Follow this blog to learn about Emily’s achievements on her way to possible Olympic success.
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As far as the Track Nationals are concerned – they didn’t go too well. I had the offer to stay the week with my cousins and to take part in the older girls races too. So I thought it would be quite fun to do and have a chance to ride the extra bunch races, but maybe it wasn’t such a good idea. I decided afterwards that the week was really fun, but with late nights and hard rides I was not in best form when it came to my race day.
It came to my day of racing on the track with girls of my age. When I was warming up I felt really good, I maxed out on the rollers at 48mph which is quickest I have done. So I didn’t think it was going to be too bad.
My first event was the 1500m pursuit, I did a time of 2 minutes 11 second which put me in 4th place. By now my legs were pretty tired and next I had the 1st round of a 500m sprint with 2 other people. This went quite well because I knew what to do tactically and this meant I had a better chance, I used the height of the banking to good effect and got the jump on them and Won this sprint
Then I had the Second round and the minor Final, overall out of the sprints I came 8th which wasn’t very good for me because this used to be one of my best events, but I think over the year I haven’t kept my leg speed and power up for the track so it wasn’t as planned.
Then we had a scratch race of 4 km. This was my worst race of the day though, I positioned myself poorly and when they all sprinted to the line I just couldn’t make up any places. So i finished somewhere near the back in that one. Our last race of the day was a 500m time trial, this went ok, but I couldn’t make up any positions so I just had to try and get the best time I could.
Overall I think I finished about 9th which I wasn’t happy with at all, but I now have to learn from my mistakes, I have a year to go away and change it all to do better
At the moment I am on a plan of training to help me perform well at the new Olympic Talent Team selection camp, to give me a good chance of getting on the new programme. I start my cyclocross training in the next couple of weeks, the bad news is I expect to be away for the Deer’s Leap round of the London Cycle Cross League. I am defending my title as Youth Girl Champion from last year.
Cyclocross is a great winter training sport, and surprisingly easy to just turn up and ride an event. All abilities are welcome and to begin with it is quite possible to ride on a Mountain bike. Prepare to have a lot of fun and get very muddy at some of the races. And have loads of fun!!!
If you would like to get involved have a look at these websites…
- Emily
Road racing is my favourite of all the cycling disciplines.
Usually I race the early season races at the Hillingdon Cycle Circuit but this year it seemed to take a while to get my road form together. To be honest, apart from a win in the National Circuit series in early May, the season was not really going to plan but I started doing some hilly Crystal Palace races on a Tuesday night, which started to pay some dividends.
My big break came in the British Cycling National Championships at Hillingdon on the 25th July. I managed to cover the breaks during the race and going into the penultimate corner with about 500m to go I just went for it. I must have surprised the field as I got five lengths on them and managed to keep it together until the finish! I came away with the U14 title of National Champion, a Gold medal and The British Cycling Jersey!
No rest, and off to Assen in Holland that evening for the start of the six day road race. A prologue along the canal, racing through the forest on all the cobbles, a time trial on the Moto GP circuit and a road race with all the motor bike out riders, jury cars and the infamous broom wagon. A tough week and I finished about two thirds down the field. Great fun, and lots of socialising after the races and in the evenings!
- Emily
I end my first cyclocross season on a good note, having won the Girl’s U16 London Cyclocross League and finishing 3rd in the U14 National Championships up in Bradford.
Cyclocross is an excellent way of keeping your fitness up in the winter and the skills you gain in the slippery conditions stand you in good stead for when the going gets tough in the road season.
I put in quite a lot of training in the early part of the year at the track in Newport with British Cycling Talent Team. Track racing is a very technical side of the sport, it is fun but you always feel there is an edge to it.
- Emily
