The Courier & Advertiser (Fife Edition)
Archibald taking deep breath to hold nerves for Glasgow games
Katie Archibald may be a 10-time European champion but the thought of representing Great Britain at her home Glasgow games is still enough to make even the best feel nervous.
The reigning omnium and pursuit European champion will arrive at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome aiming to defend her titles and add madison and team pursuit gold medals to an already endless list of achievements.
The 24-year-old will team up with four-time Olympic gold medallist team-mate Laura Kenny in the madison event – just months after Great Britain’s most successful female sportswoman returned to the track after the birth of her son Albie last year.
And the chance to compete in front of her own fans is an opportunity that Archibald intends to capitalise on despite her apprehension leading up to the event.
She said: “There’s this huge voodoo science around competing on your own track and the advantage that that gives you and it’s something that we anecdotally cannot explain.
“But for some reasons there’s about 10 extra watts for a home track. I guess I am nervous about that pressure, but really excited to take advantage of it. Laura Kenny is just as nervous as everyone else. It’s not a problem, it’s just a fact of elite level competition.
“I think it would be hard not to be nervous.”
Rio Olympic gold medallist Archibald has admitted that her focus lies in preparing for the Olympic disciplines, especially Team pursuit, an event that Great Britain haven’t won European Championship gold in since 2015.
She said: “The main focus is the Olympic events and the team pursuit underpins our entire programme. I think we put a lot of pressure on ourselves because of the history of team pursuit in Great Britain.”
Fans at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome will be treated to an abundance of thrilling, electric action, but few events will peak as much interest as the women’s Madison where Olympic champions Archibald and Kenny will compete together for the first time.