Archibald all set to lead GB attack in Roubaix

OLYMPIC and European champion Katie Archibald will headline the 19-strong Great Britain squad to compete at the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Roubaix, France, next week.

Archibald, who collected three European golds in Grenchen last week to follow on from her Madison success in Tokyo, will be joined by fellow Olympic silver medallists Neah Evans and Josie Knight in the women’s endurance squad, while academy riders Megan Barker and Ella Barnwell make their worlds debuts.

Scots Archibald and Evans won Madison gold in last week’s Euros, with Archibald also winning the scratch race and omnium – taking her to 17 European titles as she eclipsed Laura Kenny’s previous record of 15.

“I took a short break after Tokyo, but now I’m back to more considered training and really motivated for everything that’s to come,” said Archibald.

“It felt good to be racing well at the European championships last week, and our wins have helped settle my nerves about the world championships next week. What a month!

“Our team for the worlds holds a large amount of youth, but I’m used to being one of the more experienced riders on the squad so I’m hoping I can still keep my cool as the team elder, support my team-mates, as well as ride well myself.”

As expected, a number of top riders – including both Laura and Jason Kenny – are missing from the squad as they take a post-Olympic break.

As part of a bigger reshuffle of the track calendar, the world championships have moved from their previous slot in late February/early March, creating a short turnaround from Tokyo.