Postgraduate Ellie to compete at Commonwealth Games

THREE years after taking up the sport, Manchester Metropolitan University postgraduate student Ellie Richardson has been named as part of Team Scotland’s cycling squad for the forthcoming Commonwealth Games.

The Masters in Physiotherapy student joins the host nation’s biggest ever cycling team for a Games, which sees 16 men and 14 women represent the country in track, road and mountain bike disciplines.

Richardson, who is originally from Dundonnell in the north west Highlands said: “Being selected was surreal; I didn’t come from a professional sports background and it’s strange to think that three years ago I had never even ridden before. Now I’ve earned the opportunity to represent my country on home turf, in front of a home crowd. It’s a dream come true.”

Richardson’s selection follows an impressive two years of competitive track cycling, which has seen her break the Scottish National 500m time trial record twice. In addition to this, she broke Olympian Victoria Pendleton’s 11 year 500m British National University record whilst representing MMU at the 2012 British University Track Cycling Championships.

Scottish Champion

Richardson was named double Scottish Champion for the 500m and team sprint events at the Scottish National Track Championships in 2013 and subsequently represented Scotland at the Elite Track Cycling Revolutions Series.  Richardson’s progress did not go unnoticed, and she was taken on to the Scottish Cycling Performance Programme ahead of Glasgow 2014 and was accepted into the Scottish Institute of Sport.

This year, Richardson’s focus has been on qualifying for the Commonwealth Games.  However, a viral gastritis over Christmas and a car crash in January meant it took her over three months to resume her normal training programme, leaving only three weeks to train ahead of her first qualification date on April 1.

 “My decision to start cycling three years ago was driven largely by the prospect of a home Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, my aim being to qualify and be selected for Team Scotland.  The qualification times are set at a very competitive level and I was aware that it may be a tall order in the time scale I had!

“Then after the injuries from the car crash, a bout of illness over Christmas and some subsequent setbacks, I slowly saw this qualification dream slip away.  However, I believed I was capable of achieving the qualifying standard and that a little ‘mind over matter’ was needed in light of my far from ideal preparations.”

Time trial

Her focus paid off as Richardson bettered the qualifying time of 35.639sec, posting a time of 35.481 seconds on the 1st of April this year and was subsequently selected to represent Team Scotland at this year’s Commonwealth Games.

Richardson is concentrating on the 500m time trial event at the Games and is focusing on the process rather than the outcome but has a personal time target in mind and a goal of a top eight finish.

 “A lot depends on the competition and who delivers on the day. I’m going up against athletes some of whom have between 10 and 20 years’ experience.  However, based on the data from my qualification attempt as well as subsequent training I know I am capable of a much faster time that I have already posted. 

“My figures are on the up, I am stronger in the gym and I’m faster on the track, so if I stay healthy then there is no reason why I could not go faster!

MMU competitor

Richardson will join the rest of Team Scotland for a training camp at Manchester Velodrome from Monday 7th July.

Next year, Richardson will be competing once again for MMU at the British Universities and Colleges Sport (BUCS) competitions.

Track cycling runs from 24th – 27th July at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow.

ENDS

Photograph credit: Jeff Holmes