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Cycling: Ross vows to bounce back
OLYMPIC silver medallist Ross Edgar has vowed to transform a poor run of results on the track when he competes at the World Cup Series in Manchester this weekend.
The Ousden-based track cyclist will kick off his quest for a double medal haul in the individual sprint tomorrow, before joining up with GB team-mates Chris Hoy and Jamie Staff in the team equivalent on Sunday.
Since winning a Keirin silver medal at the Beijing Olympics last year, the 26-year-old flyer has suffered a dip in form and has cited a long term virus as the main reason.
Edgar returned to somewhere near his best at the British National Championships last week, after he claimed fourth spot in the sprint event and sixth in the Keirin.
However, with a large number of friends and family making the trip from Ousden, the former Commonwealth, European U-23 and World Cup team sprint champion is determined to improve upon that in front of the home crowd.
Speaking to the Bury Free Press this week, Edgar said: "I am really looking forward to the event. Unfortunately, I have been struggling of late and it will be nice to pick up a medal or two to get over that dip in form.
"I had been suffering from a virus for a while and found it hard to even breathe at times, let alone cycle. A few times I thought I had overcome the illness but, heavy training would trigger it again.
"I'm back to full fitness now and after trying some different techniques in training, I am raring to go."
The eagerly-anticipated event will attract a packed crowd at the Manchester Velodrome, as Team GB bid to secure their qualification for next year's World Championships in Copenhagen, Denmark.
There are four World Cup events that make up the series.
After Manchester, countries will send teams to Melbourne, next month, before the third event in Cali, Colombia, in December. The series will be completed in Beijing, in January.
"The World Cup Series is crucial if Team GB want to qualify for the World Championships in March," said Edgar, a honorary life member of West Suffolk Wheelers.
"The whole team is going in to the event full of confidence and I'm sure we will do well."
Meanwhile, Great Britain's Olympic cycling team is to be given the freedom of the city of Manchester this weekend after winning an impressive seven gold medals in Beijing.
Edgar said: "It is a massive honour for all of us and it shows just how well we did as a unit last year."
IN-FORM Mildenhall Cycling Club gold member Victoria Pendleton will also be competing for Team GB this weekend.
After winning gold in both the 500m time-trial and sprint at the British National Championships last week, the 29-year-old Olympic gold medallist is expected to excel once again.
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Weather for Bury St Edmunds
Thursday 09 February 2012
Today
Light snow
Temperature: -2 C to 1 C
Wind Speed: 6 mph
Wind direction: North
Tomorrow
Sunny spells
Temperature: -5 C to 0 C
Wind Speed: 12 mph
Wind direction: South east
