2025 Track Cycling World Championships: GB women target team pursuit three-peat
“They set this precedent that British Cycling is one of the best teams in the world.
“Sometimes you wonder, ‘How did we end up being these people?’
“Laura Kenny, Elinor Barker and Joanna Rowsell have set such a standard for us that we want to keep it that way.”
Kenny has won five Olympic gold medals and seven World Championship gold medals, while Barker has won Rio Olympic gold and seven world titles. Rowsell is a two-time Olympic champion and five-time world champion.
“People think of us as the best, whether we are or not,” Knight added. “So we just have to take confidence in that and know that even though we look at other nations, they all look at us.
“Nine times out of ten we can achieve it, so we have hope.
“I don’t want to spoil anything but it would be really nice to win three times in a row, that would be something special.”
Roberts was part of the 2024 team and says the competition will be tough in Santiago.
“Everyone is so strong, I guess we think about the other teams as well,” said Roberts, one of three Welsh riders in the sextet along with Morris and Barker.
“The strength of women’s cycling is now very high, you all really need to bring your A game.”
With the addition of 22-year-old Leech, the makeup of the four team members could still be different, but it’s a challenge the team relishes.
“I think with the program we have here at British Cycling, with the podium potential, the young riders and the people responsible for training them, you know that every time a younger guy comes along he knows what he’s doing, he’s done it,” Knight said.
“They may have done it at a slower speed, but you can instantly trust them, so it’s never about trust.
“It’s just learning how someone rides, it has its challenges, but that’s part of the event and the beauty of the team pursuit.”
In addition to the team pursuit, all riders on the women’s endurance team will also compete in individual events.
Knight will seek glory in the individual pursuit, but will face stiff competition from compatriot Morris, who set two world records in the event this year.
Roberts will be looking to go one better than the silver she won at last year’s omnium.
