New mum Laura in frame for Worlds
● Kennys could both be in GB team ● Archibald and Skinner also picked
Laura Kenny says she and husband Jason are “just like any other working family” after cycling’s golden couple were named in Great Britain’s squad for the UCI Track Cycling World Championships, which will take place just six months after the birth of their son, Albie.
While six-time Olympic champion Jason returned to racing in January, the selection of Laura, a four-time Olympic champion, was more of a surprise.
The 25-year-old has been back in training for around four months. The couple will take Albie with them to the event, which takes place in Apeldoorn, Holland, from 28 February to 4 March.
“It’s very different and something we’ve obviously never done before,” Laura Kenny said on British Cycling’s Facebook page. “We’re going to see what happens and take it as it comes. But having trained as a mum and dad we are getting used to it, getting into a routine, and getting a load of help at home from the grandparents.
“We’re just like any other working family.”
Laura has been named in the squad for the team pursuit, but must still earn selection as one of the four to actually race on the day. This week she is training in Manchester while the rest of the squad are at a camp in Mallorca.
“I’m going there to get in that team,” she said. “I want to be one of those four in that starting line-up. Obviously this week I’m on my own while the girls are in Mallorca, but I’m training just as hard and hope to be in that line-up come the day.”
In an internet post, she added; “So there we go. I’m excited to announce that I’m going back to where it all began. I have been selected to ride for GB at the world championships at the end of the month!”
It was in Apeldoorn that Laura won her first world title – in the team pursuit – at the 2011 World Championships.
She admitted she has been “shocked” by how quickly her form had come back since she resumed training, but said she would not put too much pressure on herself on her return to action.
Jason Kenny won the team sprint alongside Phil Hindes, Ryan Owens and Jack Carlin at the national track championships at the end of January, but had suggested then it would be a “stretch” for him to make the squad for the worlds.
The Kennys are two of seven Olympic champions who will represent Britain at the event, with Hindes, Ed Clancy, Elinor Barker and Scottish duo Katie Archibald and Callum Skinner also selected.
The squad also includes a number of new faces.
Ethan Hayter and Lauren Bate will make their world championship debuts, as will amateurs Dan Bigham and Charlie Tanfield.
Bigham and Tanfield are not part of the British Cycling programme but have impressed while riding for Team KGF during the world cup season.
Milngavie’s Archibald will be defending her rainbow jersey in the omnium, while Barker is the defending champion in the points race.