With the Commonwealth Games 2014 in full flow, and exciting range of cycling events in the lineup, we’re going to be glued to our screens cheering on the professional women cyclists!
For the lowdown on what’s on and when to watch, don’t forget to check out our guide to the Schedule for Women’s Cycling at the Commonwealth Games 2014.
Not sure who to cheer for? There will be amazing athletes from around the world, all of whom are worthy of your support, but expect some amazing performances from some of these women.
Discipline: Mountain biking
Nationality: English
This 23 year old Olympian got into cycling as a result of a bet with her brother. He said he’d try horse riding if she did a cycle race; she did it, she loved it, and the rest is history! She competed in the 2012 London Olympics, and is hungry for a gold medal at the Commonwealth Games.
Discipline: Mountain biking
Nationality: Scottish
Having the Commonwealth Games in her home town of Glasgow has been the motivation that has kept the 35 year old athlete cycling competitively ‘This has been the drive for almost as long as I can remember.’Amongst the many things she does when not cycling, she has also founded a mountain biking programme for disadvantaged youth in Scotland called Cycletherapy.
Discipline: Track and Road Cycling
Nationality: Scottish
This 20 year old came into professional cycling relatively recently, but has already astonished many with her prowess. She is the reigning European and World Team Pursuit Champion alongside GB Teammates Elinor Barker, Dani King and Laura Trott. All these women are also competing in the Commonwealth Games so this time Katie will be lining up against them rather than with them!
Discipline: Road and Track Cycling
Nationality: Welsh
This 19 year old Wiggle Honda rider from Cardiff was part of the 2014 World Championship winning Team Pursuit team. She’ll be lining up to race against her GB Teammates Dani King, Katie Archibald and Jo Rowsell this time as part of Welsh cycling team. As she was also the 2012 Junior World Time Trial Champion, she’s also most definitely one to watch for the road racing too.
Discipline: Road Cycling
Nationality: English
A rider who is going from strength to strength, Hannah is now riding for the new UnitedHealthcare women’s pro-cycling team and put in a great performance at The Women’s Tour earlier this year. After an amazing 2013, which saw her crowned overall victor of the Johnsons Healthtech Tour Series in the UK, the 2014 Commonwealth Games is a major stepping stone towards the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio de Janiero.
Discipline: Road and Track Cycling
Nationality: English
Emma is on top form in her 2014 return to pro-cycling after a break to complete her PhD in Geotechnical Engineering. She comes to the Games off the back of the Giro Rosa where she took victory on stages 6 and 8 of the race in dramatic style. She too is aiming to compete in the Rio Olympics in 2016, and is a vocal supporter of increased support and exposure for women’s cycling, being part of the Le Tour Entier group which campaigned for a women’s Tour de France.
Of course, there are many more amazing women competing, including Lizzie Armitstead, Dani King, Jo Rowsell and Laura Trott. Whether you cheer for one of the big names or for the cyclists in general, make sure you shout about it! The more support for women’s cycling, the better.
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