Barker Looking To Make Her Mark In Hong Kong

Four Welsh riders will be in action at the World Track Cycling Championships which get underway on Wednesday. Ian Gordon will be the only Welsh journalist out in Hong Kong providing reports for Dai Sport.

Elinor Barker is relishing her time under the spotlight as she looks to make her individual mark in Hong Kong.

The Cardiff-born rider won Olympic gold in the team pursuit in Rio last summer to add to her two world titles in the event.

But as British Cycling embarks on a new era this week, Barker will compete in three events at the World Track Championships.

Barker begins her campaign in the scratch race where Britain have the reigning champion in Laura Kenny who is missing due to pregnancy.

She will also compete in the points race – where she won World Cup gold in the Netherlands last November – as well as the madison with fellow Welsh cyclist Emily Nelson.

“I’ve done more racing in the last six months than I did in the year and a half before the Olympics,” said Barker.

“I’ve made the most of being able to ride independently.

“I’ve changed my goals slightly and put my focus on the bunch races rather than the team pursuit.”

Barker was originally also down to compete in the team pursuit where she won the gold with Kenny, Joanna Rowsell-Shand and Katie Archibald after setting world records in all three rounds.

She was due to link-up with Carmarthen’s Manon Lloyd but has been replaced by Emily Kay for Wednesday’s opening round so she can fElinor Barker is relishing her time under the spotlight as she looks to make her individual mark in Hong Kong.

The Cardiff-born athlete won Olympic gold in the team pursuit in Rio last summer to add to her two world titles in the event.

But as British Cycling embarks on a new era this week, Barker will compete in three events at the World Track Championships.

Barker begins her campaign in the scratch race where Britain have the reigning champion in Laura Kenny who is missing due to pregnancy.

She will also compete in the points race – where she won World Cup gold in the Netherlands last November – as well as the madison with fellow Welsh cyclist Emily Nelson.

“I’ve done more racing in the last six months than I did in the year and a half before the Olympics,” said Barker.

“I’ve made the most of being able to ride independently.

“I’ve changed my goals slightly and put my focus on the bunch races rather than the team pursuit.”

Barker was originally also down to compete in the team pursuit where she won the gold with Kenny, Joanna Rowsell-Shand and Katie Archibald after setting world records in all three rounds.

She was due to link-up with Carmarthen’s Manon Lloyd but has been replaced by Emily Kay for Wednesday’s opening round so she can focus on the scratch.

But Barker could come back into the team for the later rounds.

Monmouth’s Lewis Oliva makes up the quartet of Welsh cyclists in the 19-strong squad competing in the keirin event in which he is the British champion.

The 24-year-old has already taken part in three of the four World Cup rounds this season winning bronze in Glasgow.

Oliva had been part of the British set-up in Manchester but has returned to Wales where he is also studying medicine in Cardiff.ocus on the scratch.

But Barker could come back into the team for the later rounds.

Monmouth’s Lewis Oliva makes up the quartet of Welsh cyclists in the 19-strong squad competing in the keirin event in which he is the British champion.

The 24-year-old has already taken part in three of the four World Cup rounds this season winning bronze in Glasgow.

Oliva had been part of the British set-up in Manchester but has returned to Wales where he is also studying medicine in Cardiff.