Dani King to focus on road for 2015

Olympic gold medallist Dani King will focus on road racing next season as part of her build-up to Rio 2016, it was announced today.

British Cycling confirmed the decision, which was made in conjunction with their performance coaches and King’s Wiggle-Honda trade team, this morning.

The 23-year-old has mostly ridden in support of team-mates during her limited road schedule with the Wiggle team since 2013, although she took silver in this year’s National Road Race Championships in Abergavenny behind Laura Trott.

King said: “I’m really excited to be given this opportunity by British Cycling to go and do a full season on the road with Wiggle-Honda.

“The idea of riding a road season as preparation for team pursuit hasn’t been done before in our squad, but is a tried and tested method within the men’s endurance squad with Team Sky.

“I therefore believe it will enable me to get the best out of myself as a cyclist and give me the best chance possible to defend the Olympic title I won at London 2012 in the team pursuit.”

Competition for places is strong within the British women’s endurance squad. Since London 2012, Elinor Barker, Katie Archibald and new arrival Ciara Horne have joined King, Trott and Joanna Rowsell in the setup.

King was notably left out of the GB quartet who took the world title in Cali at this year’s world championships, and it is not known if she will travel with the team for the forthcoming European Track Championships,which take place in Guadeloupe from October 15-19.

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