Archibald determined to show Madison skills

Cycling: Scot flies flag for new generation of talented athletes

Scotland’s world and Olympic champion Katie Archibald has defended the inclusion of a women’s Madison race in the programme for the next Olympic Games despite criticism of the event.

The International Olympic Committee recently reintroduced the race into its men’s track cycling schedule for the Tokyo 2020 Games, with a women’s event also being included for the first time.

Madison was dropped from the Olympics for both London and Rio but is back, and with the event now being raced by women at world cup and world championship level, Archibald, from Milngavie, was pleased with the decision.

“The women’s Madison often gets criticism for not being at the same level as the men’s, but we’re in a chicken and egg situation.

“Give us the races so that we can prove we can do it,” said the world omnium champion, during Women’s Sport Week.

“To be on the world stage on television, to be out there to show other women and other girls that this is how we race, can get people more involved in the sport.”

The Scot won the first global women’s gold medal in the Madison when she and Manon Lloyd raced to gold in the Glasgow World Cup last year.

Archibald, Olympic champion in the team pursuit, is a big advocate of the event which will also be contested by women for the first time at Six Day London, in October – and is pleased to see more parity being achieved between men’s and women’s racing.

“Women’s Sport Week is a fantastic platform to get us all talking, it acknowledges things people do already know, but acts as a wake up and shows the accolades and achievements of women all around the world,” she added.

“Most importantly it shows they are just like you and I. I like the conversations where young girls can see they can do this too and are wanting to get involved.

“If you compare to the 2008 Olympics, there was disparity with the medals available to the men and women, but now that is changing and more opportunities, such as the Madison, are coming back.

“I’m hugely privileged and elated to be part of that rise.”

Archibald will return to Six Day London to defend the women’s omnium title she won on debut in 2016.

Alongside the new women’s Madison race, the event will also mean female riders are able to score the UCI points that enable them to qualify for World Cup races – a development Archibald welcomed. “To have UCI points is really important,” said the Team WNT rider.

“We wanted it because it helps us qualify for the World Cup and makes it easier for the event to entice the bigger riders because they can come and get the race experience, while also having everything linking in.

“Some of the Australian or Italian riders, teams we’ve not seen at London before, can come because they know there are points available.”

Six Day London takes place between October 24 and 29 at Lee Valley VeloPark on Queen Elizabeth Olympic Park. Tickets on sale now at www.ticketmaster.co.uk/sixday london.

“Accolades and achievements of women all around the world”

AIMING TO IMPRESS: Scotland’s Katie Archibald is chasing gold in the Six Day London event later this year