Two-thirds of the Team GB cycling squad going to the 2016 Rio Olympics started their cycling careers through British Cycling’s youth development programme - Go-Ride - the sport’s governing body announced today.
Eighteen of the Go-Ride programme’s graduates will compete at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games, including Laura Trott (Welwyn Wheelers Cycling Club), Joanna Rowsell Shand (Sutton CC), Jason Kenny (Sportcity Velo) and Lizzie Armitstead (Otley CC).
To mark the announcement, British Cycling today kicks off its ‘Go-Ride Summer of Cycling’, a series of nationwide coaching sessions designed to inspire a new generation of cyclists. There are over 300 events for young people and their families to get involved with; you can look up your nearest event using our finder tool.
Go-Ride delivers over 500,000 opportunities a year for young people to get involved in cycling.
The Summer of Cycling will see Go-Ride Clubs from across the country stage events or coaching sessions to encourage youngsters to take inspiration from Go-Ride graduates. Currently, there are approaching 200 events already organised.
Laura Trott, a Go-Ride ambassador who is heading for Rio, said: “Go-Ride provides a great opportunity for young people to get into cycling, and the fact that so many of the current Great Britain Cycling Team came through Go-Ride Clubs shows just what an effective programme it is.
“I would encourage all clubs and young riders to get involved in the Summer of Cycling and to take advantage of the opportunities on offer.”
John Mills, director of coaching, education and development at British Cycling, added: “It’s fantastic to see such a high number of Go-Ride graduates in the squad for the Rio Olympics.
"One of our key aims at British Cycling is to turn elite inspiration into grassroots participation, and the Go-Ride Summer of Cycling is a great opportunity to do just that.
“While our Go-Ride graduates are competing for medals out in Rio, the events staged by our clubs will help introduce a new generation of youngsters to the world of cycle sport, giving them a fun and safe environment in which to build their confidence and improve bike handling skills.”
The full list of Go-Ride graduates heading for the Rio Olympics: Trott, Rowsell Shand, Kenny, Armitstead, Kyle Evans (Preston Pirates), Grant Ferguson (Peebles CC), Ryan Owens (Welwyn Wheelers), Becky James (Abergavenny Road Club), Steven Burke (Sportcity Velo), Ed Clancy (Holme Valley Wheelers), Owain Doull , Geraint Thomas and Elinor Barker (Maindy Flyers), Katie Archibald (Edinburgh RC), Ciara Horne (Zappi’s),Steve Cummings (Birkenhead North End), Ian Stannard (Milton Keynes CC) and Adam Yates (Eastlands Velo).
