Welcome break for British cyclists after tough World Championships
Britain were sixth on the medal table in Pruszkow after a gruelling 18-month schedule.
Great Britain’s track cyclists will begin a much-needed two-week break reflecting on how much work lies ahead if they are to deliver another Olympic medal rush in Tokyo next year.
Riders have been encouraged to take a holiday in the wake of last week’s UCI Track Cycling World Championships, with coaches warning they will not get another chance like this for 18 months.
Though several members of the women’s endurance squad – Laura Kenny, Katie Archibald, Neah Evans and Elinor Barker – are signed up to ride in the Six Day Series in Manchester at the end of March, there are no other events until the grand prix season starts in May.
A breather will be most welcome after a gruelling 18 months which took its toll and perhaps showed in Pruszkow, where Britain finished a lowly sixth in the medal standings as the Dutch and Australians dominated.
Last winter was extended by the Commonwealth Games in Australia, while this winter’s season started early with the European Championships in Glasgow in August.
“It was a very tough 2018 with a late world championships followed by the Commonwealth Games and then a very early Euros,” sprint coach Justin Grace said.
