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| 11 April 2008 |
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Sport England has congratulated British Cycling on its record level of success at the 2008 World Track Championships in Manchester. Members of the GB Team won nine gold medals and two silver at the championships last weekend.
Riders identified and developed under British Cycling’s Sport England-funded Go-Ride and Talent Team coaching and talent nurturing schemes featured at the heart of Great Britain’s success in Manchester.
“Without the help of Sport England funding, we could not have seen the same level of success at the World Track Championships,” said British Cycling chief executive Peter King.
He added: “In addition we could not have seen such fast racing at the Manchester Velodrome were it not for the newly re-laid track, which was also funded by Sport England’s North West Region.”
Ed Clancy, one of the first athletes to have benefited from Sport England’s support of British Cycling in 2001, was a key member of the men’s team pursuit team that won gold and set a new world record at the 2008 World Track Championships.
Jo Rowsell, who rode in the women’s team pursuit team that also won gold and set a new world record, is another rider to benefit from the funding.
Chief Executive of Sport England, Jennie Price, said: “We are delighted that our funding, through the Lottery and Exchequer, has contributed towards the excellent performance of British Cycling at the World Track Championships.
“We are also very pleased to have been able to play a part in providing world standard facilities at the Manchester Velodrome, part of our work to create a backbone of world standard sports venues throughout the country.”
The 2008 World Track Championships was also an opportunity for young riders who have benefited from Go-Ride and Talent Team assistance to show their mettle. These included Jess Varnish, Anna Blyth, Steven Burke, David Daniell, Matt Crampton and Jason Kenny.
Go-Ride is coaching a record number of children and so is expected to bring forward even more talent in future years. In 2007/2008 Go-Ride created nearly 50,000 cycle coaching opportunities for children. With the size of the Go-Ride coaching team doubled in March, that figure is expected to grow significantly for 2008/2009.
To find out more about all of the riders that featured at the 2008 World Track Championships and about the success of the Go-Ride programme visit www.britishcycling.org.uk
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