Pocket Rocket is hooked on cycling's Formula One

SHE might be diminutive, but the competitive force exuded by champion cyclist Ann Bowditch is palpable both on and off the circuit. And this Guernsey-raised champion is now tackling a new challenge, which she describes as the two-wheel equivalent of Formula One.

Current British hill climb title holder, Bowditch stormed to take that award on a slope twice as steep and twice as long as Le Val des Terres.

Now she is turning her impressive skill and focus towards adrenaline-pumping velodrome racing and has the European Masters event in her sights.

She describes this high-speed track racing as a totally different discipline but is full of enthusiasm for it and determined to do well. Sponsorship from her employers, International Administration Guernsey Ltd, is making the whole thing possible.

Less-determined riders considering this high-speed discipline might baulk at the fact that the bike has no gears and no brakes, but the woman they call the Pocket Rocket is only slightly nervous about that.

'It is a dangerous sport because if you stop pedalling even for a second, you would immediately be thrown straight over the handlebars.

'At the speed you are travelling and with a hard surface, the risk of really hurting yourself is high. In fact, I have already seen some pretty horrendous incidents,' she said, with a shrug of acceptance and adding that it was 'a pretty strong incentive' for not easing off on the power.

The change in direction was suggested by her mentor who felt that she had good credentials for the discipline.

Unfazed by the fact that track training cannot be carried out here and arranging it requires some fairly skilled diary juggling, she is now travelling back and forth from the Manchester Velodrome.

Tearing around the arena is 'a really big adrenaline rush' and she relishes the fact that she has to push herself to the extreme.

'You are doing 30 mph around a 250-metre track. It is an amazing feeling.'

The skill comes into play when having to balance the desire to go as fast as possible against the risk of tiring too soon. It also tests her focus and ability to avoid being distracted by any jostling or incidents.

Her new kit bears the distinctive orange and grey logo of IAG. It is all a far cry from her day job as company secretary/administrator but she draws parallels with the fact that, whatever she does, she tries to do it well and with 100 per cent commitment.

'I do have a competitive personality. I am quite driven and velodrome has really grabbed me.'

Training involves booking the track for two hours, although probably only half that time is spent riding.

'It's absolutely exhausting, but terrific.'

She is using a new, custom-built bike and would struggle to do well on an 'off-the-shelf' machine because 'there is not much of me'.

The lightweight bike is built for speed and it takes two laps of gentle easing off for her to stop.

'I had a very sharp reminder once of the fact that I cannot stop pedalling for a second - and I never want to experience that again.'

Even after 10 years of competitive cycling, she says the sport had lost none of its appeal.

'I feel very lucky still to be involved in competition at this level in my mid 30s. I am certainly just as enthusiastic.'

She cycles every morning and is full of praise for her partner, Mike Brehaut, who assembles her bikes for races and provides a lot of other support as well.

'It is a very trusting thing, to rely on the person who ensures that the bike is in top condition and Mike is brilliant.'

He will be a spectator at her first velodrome competition.

'There is bound to be a big crowd around the arena and it will be a fantastic atmosphere. I respond well to encouragement so hopefully all of the energy will rub off,' she said.

'Also, IAG's flexibility with my working hours and financial sponsorship greatly assists me towards achieving my goals in the sport.'

Her cycling year is shaping up to be a busy one, with the European Masters in September and the defence of her national hill climb title in the autumn.

She concedes that, as supportive as he is, Brehaut finds watching her push herself to the limit somewhat stressful.

Looking on while she hurtles around the velodrome knowing that she can't use brakes or gears for control is unlikely to do much for his neck muscles, but Ann is confident that all will be well.

'It might have taken me a few years to discover velodrome, but now that I have, I am not going to let it go. I am hooked.'