Triple national champion Dan Bigham targeting Commonwealth Games medal
Brother NRG Driveplan rider Dan Bigham believes that he could medal at next year's Commonwealth Games in a number of track events.

Following a memorable weekend in which he became British champion in three separate track disciplines, Dan Bigham is now targeting selection to the 2018 Commonwealth Games.
The Brother NRG Driveplan rider, little-known outside inner circles until last Friday, took victory in the kilo, team pursuit and individual pursuit races at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester last weekend.
Now, the 25-year-old is hoping that his results, coupled with the scientific knowledge that has seen him work in Formula 1 and currently pays his wages, can encourage British Cycling to take a punt and involve him in their Academy squads, with the long-term aim of riding in the April 2018 Commonwealth Games, taking place in the Gold Coast, Australia.
While Bigham appreciates the need to continue his road career - his best result thus far was coming third in the Beaumont Trophy last summer - he hopes that the national governing body would welcome his services.
"I want to stay on the track while I can, do as much track as possible with the thought of the Commonwealth Games selection in the next 12 months," he told Cycling Weekly. "I would love to think that [British Cycling's] door is open and I could speak to them to hear their thoughts on where I need to be in terms of selection."
>>> Dr Hutch: Long time trials are more like an awkward eating competition
Bigham beat his trade teammate Charlie Tanfield to individual pursuit gold last Friday, posting a winning time of 4.22:545. The British record is 4.11:114, set in 1996 by Chris Boardman in the infamous Superman - and now banned - position.
But Bigham believes that he is just as fast as other riders in the discipline who are or have recently been a member of the Academy team. He added: "In terms of selection with other members of their team, I am competitive with their big riders, such as Andy Tennant and Owain Doull. The times they do I can do on the track.
All you need to know about the team pursuit
"My 4.22 would have got fifth at the 2014 Commonwealths [ahead of Tennant, but behind Doull in third] and I had had a really bad qualifier last weekend.
"I reckon I could have gone sub-20, and a time like that would have me in a medal ride-off at the 2014 Games.
"With another 12 months of training - considering I have only been properly training on a bike for two years - I think I could push on and a medal would be absolutely awesome and that's definitely a possibility.
"I also feel that with my background in elite sports - I have worked for British Athletics and as an aerodynamicist in Formula One - I can bring a lot off the track to the team with my own ideas and hopefully bring the team on."
The tactics Brother NRG Driveplan used in their team pursuit success were rather unconventional, with certain riders doing mammoth turns. That, Bigham says, shows his strength in that event, too.
"The speed the GB Academy guys were doing for one or two lap turns, I was doing for three and four lap turns. I can fit in there as well. I've got to have that conversation with GB and see if there's a chance."
Thank you for reading 10 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Chris first started writing for Cycling Weekly in 2013 on work experience and has since become a regular name in the magazine and on the website. Reporting from races, long interviews with riders from the peloton and riding features drive his love of writing about all things two wheels.
Probably a bit too obsessed with mountains, he was previously found playing and guiding in the Canadian Rockies, and now mostly lives in the Val d’Aran in the Spanish Pyrenees where he’s a ski instructor in the winter and cycling guide in the summer. He almost certainly holds the record for the most number of interviews conducted from snowy mountains.
-
-
Who's leading the Giro d'Italia 2023 after stage 17?
Geraint Thomas is still in the race lead
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
'This is insane': Alberto Dainese comes back from illness to triumph in photo finish on Giro d'Italia stage 17 sprint
DSM rider finished last on Sunday's stage with a stomach bug, but bounced back to take win in his home region
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Tough Redcar and Cleveland course for British National Championships
North East region also set to host round of the National Road Series
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'If in doubt, sit them out': British Cycling releases concussion guidance for riders
Anyone with even the mildest concussion symptoms will be advised to return to competition for at least 21 days
By Adam Becket • Published
-
Lotus working on second generation of Olympic gold medal winning British Cycling bike
UK automotive engineering giant is joined by hi-spec engineering firm Renishaw
By Vern Pitt • Published
-
'Just don't wreck yourself' - Fred Wright on his GB track gamble and the Olympics
The Bahrain Victorious rider is set to compete at the European Track Championships next week
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
From Grand Tour victories to gold medals: The nine best signings of 2022
We look back at the signings that made the biggest impacts during this year's season
By Tom Thewlis • Published
-
'Chris Hoy said the British coaches may be kicking themselves’ - Britain’s lost track cycling champion
British-born Australian Matthew Richardson has fast become one of the world's best track sprinters
By Tom Davidson • Published
-
Academy programme where Mark Cavendish and Geraint Thomas started is cut back
British Cycling academy to work with development teams to provide riders with more exposure to top level racing
By Tom Thewlis • Last updated
-
GB's Neah Evans claims stunning first world title on final day of Track World Championships
Great Britain finishes with 10 medals, after Madison silver and elimination race bronze
By Tom Davidson • Last updated