Skinner has his focus on future

OLYMPIC champion Callum Skinner believes it’s time to focus on the future after a period of introspection for British Cycling.

Skinner won team sprint gold and individual sprint silver behind team-mate Jason Kenny at last August’s Rio Olympics.

Great Britain won six of the 10 available track titles despite an independent review being established into the culture of British Cycling’s world-class performance programme.

The final report is still being prepared, 11 months after the review was announced following discrimination allegations and British Cycling has already announced a 39-point plan to resolve the anticipated criticisms it contains.

However, the report may be subject to scrutiny as a scathing leaked version suggested contributions from a wide spectrum of riders and staff were not obtained.

Skinner, who travels to next week’s Track World Championships in Hong Kong as one of four Olympic champs from Rio in a 19-rider squad, said: “I responded to the point that said it was difficult to contribute to the review.

“I wasn’t interviewed but provided my opinions through written submission.

“There’s no need for the continuous cycle of review after review.

“I think it’s good to draw a line under it, make the changes that were necessary and move forward.”

Skinner says change has happened at British Cycling’s National Cycling Centre home, whether because of the review or because he is now a more senior athlete having claimed Olympic medals.

“There’s been more collaboration in the last six months and I have had more input into my training than ever before. That’s a good way to go forward”, the 24-year-old Scot added.