Josie Knight has made the transition from U16 domestic racing to the elite World Track Championships in the space of one year (Photo: Sirotti)
By Brian Canty
Rising Irish star Josie Knight is targeting some big results this year on road and track, with August’s UCI World Junior Track championships on the boards in Kazakhstan one of her main aims.
The young Kerry woman enjoyed a sensational 2014 with a silver medal at the European Championships just a few months after accepting an offer to join the national track squad.
She also rode her maiden world championships on both the road and the track; riding the junior road race in Spain last September and elite track worlds in Paris last month.
She banked valuable experience in every race she did and is eagerly looking forward to the season ahead.
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“I’m absolutely loving it,” she told stickybottle in relation to the track.
Knight, second from left, with the elite women's team pursuit line-up at last month's World Championships (Photo: Guy Swarbrick)
“I could spend all day down on the boards just watching. You’re learning so much.
“I haven’t ridden many bunch races but I feel now I could go in with more confidence from just watching.”
Knight, still just 17 years old, is a very stronger tester and because of that was fast tracked into the elite track squad for the track World Cups last year and the recent worlds.
But the omnium is something she says she’d love to have a crack off at some stage.
“There’s so many different chances to do well; if you’re not so good at one you could make it up in the other events, I’d love to try it.”
Riding for Ireland on the youth team, second in line. The photo was taken less than two years ago but already she has ridden at elite World Championships.
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The Team iBike rider recalls the time Cycling Ireland’s head coach Brian Nugent approached her to join the squad, saying she thought he was bonkers.
“It was a big surprise for me I have to say,” she recalls.
“I remember Brian coming to me about three months before and telling me they were interested in taking me.
“He told my mum and dad that we’d aim for the Europeans and a top five would be the goal.
“I remember we went home and we were like ‘that man is crazy’ because I’d hardly raced on the track.
“And I thought ‘how does he think I’ll do that?’ But to qualify as a fastest and get a silver medal was amazing.”
Knight already has a medal from a major championships in her palmares, taking silver in the individual pursuit at last year's Euros (Photo: Guy Swarbrick)
The road world championships in Spain followed but a crash in the time trial took her right out of contention for a good result there.
“That was very disappointing because I had good form going into it and I looked on course for a top 10,” she said.
“I was 9th through the first checkpoint so it was really disappointing but at least I have this year again; I’m still learning.”
On her plans for the future she said: “To make the Olympics in Rio would be an absolutely amazing experience but really I’ve my sights set on Tokyo in 2020.
“For this year the World Junior Track Championships in Kazakhstan is my big goal.”
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