Guernsey Press

'We've medal chances – if we take a team' says McLaughlin

JAMES MCLAUGHLIN has urged the Guernsey Commonwealth Games Association to take a big enough cycling team to help both himself and Tobyn Horton challenge for a medal.

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The uncertainty surrounding selection for Gold Coast 2018 continues but with Team Guernsey set to be smaller than previous editions, the criteria is to be toughened up.

It means that some cyclists who play the role as team men for the established names look like they will not qualify, but professional star McLaughlin says that is wrong.

'I am confident that, depending on the course and its layout, either myself or Tobyn will be able to challenge for a medal in Australia, but to do that you need a team supporting you,' he said.

'Many people consider cycling to be an individual sport, but road-race cycling is as big a team sport as something like football and that needs to be realised.

'Having one man winning a medal and the others dropping out of the race in pursuit of that is far better than just having a couple of riders in the race and seeing them both finish top 20, which no one will remember.

'I know there has to be criteria but there also needs to be some judgement used and I have no doubt that the likes of Matt Osborn and Jack English are good enough to be on that start line in April 2018.'

  • More in Wednesday’s Guernsey Press.

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