Rider Profile
Name: Eleanor Richardson 
Primary Club: Edinburgh Road Club
Biography
From the age of 13, I have been involved in competitive athletics, consistently winning National gold, silver and bronze medals across all the sprint disciplines. However, an ankle injury requiring reconstructive surgery cut my career in athletics short and rendered me unable to run for Scotland in Delhi 2010. Deciding I should concentrate on my career as a Chartered Physiotherapist I enrolled onto an MSc programme thinking my competitive days were behind me. However, in the summer of 2011 I was talent spotted and identified as a potential elite track cyclist. Over the last twelve months my natural aptitude for the sport has become quite apparent and rekindled my desire to train, compete and succeed. The missed opportunity to represent Scotland in Delhi has instilled in me the drive and determination I need ahead of a home Games in 2014.
Career Highlights to date
My main highlight during my first year of competitive track cycling was achieving my goal of becoming the fastest Scottish female sprinter of 2012. Other highlights of 2012 include:
Silver, Team Sprint, British National Track Cycling Championships (posting the fastest opening lap time in the gold/silver medal ride)
7th, 500m tt, British National Track Cycling Championships
Gold, 500m tt, British University Track Cycling Championships
Gold, Team Sprint, British University Track Cycling Championships
Silver, Sprint, British University Track Cycling Championships
Silver, Scottish National Track Championships, 500m tt
Who inspires you and why
My family have always been the biggest influence in my life and have instilled in me the notion that if you are going to do something you do it to the best of your ability.
From a cycling perspective, Victoria Pendleton inspires me by showing me that you do not have to be big to be fast!
How do you celebrate/relax after a big event
By spending quality time with my family in the Highlands and enjoying the fresh air - a well-earned change from all the time spent indoor training!
