British Cycling has announced the star-studded track riders selected for the UEC Track Juniors / U23 European Championships that will be held in Cottbus, Germany from Tuesday 9th – Sunday 14th July. The 29-strong team, which includes an impressive 11 current European champions and 8 debutants, will compete at the Cottbus Sport Centre Velodrome to contest European titles in both the under-23 and junior categories.
A strong under-23 women’s endurance team will see Maddie Leech, Sophie Lewis and Grace Lister return to the boards after winning gold in the team pursuit last year. They will be joined by junior women’s Madison champion Izzy Sharp as she steps up to under-23 level. 2023 European multi-medallists Cat Ferguson and Carys Lloyd return to contest the junior women’s endurance events, alongside Imogen Wolff and Esther Wong, while Erin Boothman will make her exciting European debut.
The under-23 women’s sprint squad will be headed up by current national and European 500m time-trial champion Rhianna Parris-Smith, alongside teammates Iona Moir and Rhian Edmunds, who will be looking to retain their team sprint title from 2023. Last year’s junior European team sprint champions Georgette Rand and Sarah Johnson will also be competing in the individual sprint events.
Performance Director for the Great Britain Cycling Team, Stephen Park CBE, said, ”I am delighted to announce such a strong squad for this year’s under-23 and junior European track championships.
“The European championships is one of the biggest events of the year for our Performance Pathway riders, giving them an exciting opportunity to step up to the challenge of a major competition, having developed their skills and confidence across domestic and international competition. I am confident we will see some fantastic results from across the squads as they go after those prestigious European medals.”
“As we head closer to the Paris 2024 Olympic and Paralympic Games, it’s exciting to see the depth of talent we have coming through our programme with this group of riders on their first steps to potentially being selected to compete at the LA Games and beyond.”
Great Britain Cycling Team squad for the UEC Track Juniors / U23 European Championships:
UNDER-23
Women’s Endurance
Maddie Leech
Grace Lister
Izzy Sharp
Sophie Lewis
Women’s Sprint
Rhianna Parris-Smith
Iona Moir
Rhian Edmunds
JUNIOR
Women’s Endurance
Erin Boothman
Cat Ferguson
Esther Wong
Carys Lloyd
Imogen Wolff
Women’s Sprint
Georgette Rand
Sarah Johnson
