News
eam KGF riders Charlie Tanfield and
Dan Bigham could become the first
riders from completely outside the
British Cycling programme to gain selection
for a World Championships in a decade.
No one without experience of the BC
programme has been selected for a World
Championships since Kate Cullen in 2008.
Tanfield and KGF team-mate Dan Bigham
have both been training with British Cycling’s
Podium Programme riders in Manchester
and Majorca in recent months under the
auspices of BC head coach Iain Dyer.
Bigham said the GB coaches had
“suggested” that the pair might get selected
for the Worlds. He added that they had been
focusing on individual events with Tanfield
impressing in the individual pursuit and
Bigham targeting the kilo.
Tanfield said: “I hope I get selected. I
think that I’ve probably got the second
or third fastest pursuit that someone has
done this season so I think there’s a medal
opportunity there.”
When asked about his progress from
amateur rider to the prospect of pulling on a
GB jersey, Tanfield said: “I completely wouldnot have expected anything like this to have
happened this time last year.”
Talking about the training sessions, Bigham
told CW: “I think we fitted in quite well, since
then they have invited us for some more
sessions. They are just trying to assess us in
different scenarios that you might experience
on the squad.” He said there had been several
days with double training sessions to see how
they responded under fatigue.
Dyer said the selection panel for the World
Championships was “due to meet at the
end of this month”. He added: “I don’t want
to speculate on who may or may not be
selected.” And, despite the continued interest
from the Great Britain squad, Bigham revealed
they were not counting on gaining selection
and the KGF team, which only started at the
beginning of the 2017-18 track season, would
continue in 2018-19 and expand.
He said the team had already agreed to
field a B-team including Tanfield’s older
brother Harry, who rides alongside him at
Canyon-Eisberg on the road; John Archibald,
brother of Olympic gold medallist Katie, and
Scottish individual pursuit champion; Ethan
Vernon, who is riding at the Commonwealth
Games for Wales; and Simon Wilson, holder
of multiple Scottish Masters track titles.Vern PittYour chance
to ride for
England at the
Commonwealth
Games
If you ever thought you had it
in you to go up against the likes
of Mark Cavendish then here’s
your chance as the application
process for the England team for the
Commonwealth Games in Brisbane
is now open.
Team England are looking for
talented riders across the road,
track and mountain bike disciplines
to take part in the Games, which
take place in Australia in April,
with those from outside the British
Cycling programme also having the
chance to claim a spot.
The team has enjoyed
considerable success at recent
editions of the Games, winning 14
medals at Glasgow 2014 including
Lizzie Deignan in the women’s road
race and Alex Dowsett in the men’s
time trial.
“There are a lot of talented
English riders on the Great Britain
Cycling Team programmes who we
are of course aware of, but as the
sport of cycling increases in terms
of popularity and participation, we
want to make sure we select the
strongest possible England Cycling
Team for the Commonwealth
Games events,” said Keith Reynolds,
who will be the cyclists’ team
manager at the Games in Brisbane.
Selection is based on results
in high-profile events since
April 2017, a rider’s personal
conduct and attitude, and “any
other points the selection panel
deems necessary”.
Any riders who think that they’ve
got what it takes should email
[email protected]
to request an application form.
The closing date for applications
is midnight on January 20.On their way to the Worlds?
Team KGF riders Charlie Tanfield and Dan Bigham
could earn World Championship spots
Photo: [email protected]
Tanfield’s pursuit prowess could
earn him a spell in the Team GB jersey14 | January 11, 2018 | Cycling Weekly