Dani King won the silver medal at the recent Track World Cup in Astana, Kazakhstan. The Briton is targeting the London World Cup next, hoping for a spot on the team for the Olympics, held in the same city.
It was the first time King had raced a World Cup omnium. "I was very happy with the result," she told British Cycling. "I knew my first ever World Cup was going to be a step up, but I had no idea by how much." Her start in Astana was good, scoring a 14.332in the flying lap. "The biggest challenge after winning the first event was keeping my feet on the ground and taking each event as it came. All I wanted to do was prove I could handle the pressure."
She wanted to show to British Cycling that she could do well in the Olympics. "If the opportunity to ride the omnium at the Olympics presented itself, I'd take it with both hands, but my main aim remains the team pursuit."
She will mostly prepare for the team event, wanting to give her best with the other three women. "Between now and the Games I won't be focussing on the omnium, my training will be all toward the pursuit and if I'm in good shape then selection will take care of itself."
Between now and February, King will embark on an intensive period of training but is not concerned about a lack of racing prior to the Olympic test event, World Championships and Olympic Games. "I am definitely a racer, but this little break from racing will be good for me. I love Manchester and training here and I have some very clear target times, all leading in to London."
At the World Cup she took advice from Chris Hoy, who won the sprint and finished second in the Keirin, as well as Ed Clancy. Asking the right people paid off for King, who is set to work towards a successful Olympics at home.