Jo Rowsell's gold medal in the British women?s team pursuit at the World Championships in Manchester yesterday was the toast of the London Borough of Sutton, where 19-year-old Rowsell began her cycling career with Sutton CC, the acclaimed children?s Go Ride cycling club.
Rowsell (pictured right with her two team-mates), now a member of Nicole Cooke?s Halfords Bikehut professional team, was praised by Britain?s Olympic team boss Dave Brailsford who said her natural ability meant she had a great career ahead of her.
With her team-mates Rebecca Romero and Wendy Houvenaghel, Rowsell rode a superb team pursuit.
Rowsell?s success on Friday night has given Sutton CC a great boost, coming on the day of the third annual Sutton CC Primary Schools Cycling Championships ? unique in the UK - held that same afternoon, and contested by 27 teams totaling 81 nine and 10 year olds from local schools.
For Rowsell?s world title is further testimony to the success of British Cycling?s Go Ride scheme now expanding to reach more schools across the UK.
At the finish of Sutton?s schools cycling championship on a wet and windy Friday, the eager mud-bespattered pupils listened as organiser Peter Fordham looked into his crystal ball and told them about Jo Rowsell. ?Jo began her cycling here, just like you have done. And tonight if you switch on BBC 2 you will see her win her first World?s medal - it may even be gold.?
2008 TRACK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS: DAILY REPORTS
Sunday, day five>>
Saturday, day four>>
Friday, day three>>
Thursday, day two>>
Wednesday, day one>>
RELATED LINKS
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Hoy wins the Keirin
Eighth gold for Britain in the Madison
Gold for Pendleton in the sprint
Chris Hoy wins sprint gold
Pursuit women take fifth British gold medal
Jo Rowsell's gold: the toast of Sutton Cycling Club
Belarussian wins men's points race
Britain going for more gold on Friday
Comment: How many more gold for GB?
Hat-trick of golds for Britain
Britain break team pursuit world record
GB into women's team pursuit final
Gold for Romero in individual pursuit
Reade and Pendleton cruise into team sprint final
Track World Champs: results
Romero breaks British pursuit record
It's Britain vs Denmark in team pursuit final
Britain aiming for team pursuit world record
Britain take silver in team sprint
Crowd step in as French anthem stalls
Hayles denies cheating after failing blood test
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Wiggins wins pursuit gold
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Cycling Weekly's 2008 Track World Championships preview
PHOTO GALLERIES
CW's online gallery section>>
Day three in pictures
Day two in pictures
Day one in pictures
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