John Archibald Stakes Claim To Worlds Spot

Scottish rising star sets fastest ever pursuit time at sea level, reports Vern Pitt

Pursuiting sensation John Archibald looks set to go to the World Championships just 18 months after starting track riding, after setting the fastest individual pursuit time ever at sea level.

Huub-Wattbike rider Archibald rode a 4.09.584 in qualifying at the British National Championships on Friday, knocking more than half a second off the previous fastest sea-level time of 4:10.177, which he set in Switzerland last month.

He now looks set to ride the event at the Worlds. “I’ve applied, I’ve gone through their guest programme selection, they’ll review that to see if I meet that criteria. I’d hope so as their aim is that they want to win medals and so if they look at my times they can see I can do that,” he said.

British Cycling performance director Stephen Park said while the selection committee, which he is a member of, had yet to meet, Archibald stood “a very strong chance” of selection. “You’ve got someone delivering performances that are some of the fastest in history so… I think he’s done pretty well.”