Hampshire cyclist Dani King is ready to go for Commonwealth gold

The 23-year-old has been selected as part of England’s fearsome-looking track and road teams for Glasgow 2014, writes GORDON SIMPSON.

King, from Hamble, has already enjoyed a glittering career in the sport, winning three World Championship titles with Britain’s women’s team pursuit squad.

Her most memorable success, though, came at the 2012 Olympic Games, in London.

King was part of the all-conquering team pursuit squad, which broke world record after world record on their way to winning gold.

However, while King and her teammates are normally used to working together on the track, they will be pitted against each other in Glasgow.

There is no team event at the Commonwealth Games, meaning individual honours will be at stake in the 3,000m pursuit later this afternoon It is a prospect King and the rest of the girls are looking forward to, though.

“We all get on so well off the bike and when we’re on the bike we’ll all want to beat each other,” she said.

As well as her track career, King is also a successful road racer.

She has been selected in that squad for England as well, and is likely to be one of the riders tasked with helping road ace Lizzie Armitstead, who won silver in Delhi four years ago, in her bid for gold.

King said recently: “I push myself to race my bike and I’d love to get selected for the road race (in Glasgow).

“The track is my main focus, but I’d be proud to be part of the England team for the road as a domestique for Lizzie.”

Speaking about the 31-strong cycling squad, Team England Chef de Mission Jan Paterson said: “This cycling team is undoubtedly the best we have ever seen selected for Team England.

“To have eight Olympic champions line up alongside previous Commonwealth Games medallists and some supremely talented younger athletes is genuinely exciting for us.

“Whether it’s on the track, the road or at the mountain bike course cycling fans are in for a treat when Team England are competing.”