James takes to the track
JAMES MCLAUGHLIN will be chasing Commonwealth Games glory on three fronts next spring after announcing he will also be competing on the track in the Gold Coast.
The professional star, 27, was already confirmed for the time trial and the road race on the roads of Australia, but has now added the individual pursuit indoors to his schedule.
It will make him the first Guernseyman ever to compete on the track at any major cycling championship but, despite his inexperience in the discipline, he has high hopes.
‘I’m not doing it just to make up the numbers or to be an also-ran. If I felt I couldn’t compete at the sharp end then I wouldn’t be doing it,’ said the Ravenscroft-backed cyclist.
‘With the training I have done and am doing on the track, myself and Jonny [Bellis, coach] are confident that I can go below 4min. 20sec. for the 4km.
‘That time would have meant finishing in fifth place overall at the last Commonwealths [in 2014], so my aim is to be challenging in that sort of area.’
More in Tuesday's Guernsey Press.
