The year has got off to a flying start for our New Zealand Women’s Team Pursuit team.
Just weeks after winning gold at the Nations Cup in Adelaide beating current World Champions Great Britain, they have backed that up with a record shattering ride in the Oceania Cup Championships.
Going at close to 60km/h, they also set the quickest Women's Team Pursuit time ever recorded inside the Cambridge Velodrome.
“People ask me 'are you happy with that Paul, maybe smile?' and I’m like 'I’ll smile in September',” said coach Paul Manning.
Because this is a team that has a clear goal in mind – gold at the Paris Olympics.
What is not so clear is which team will ride in that event. In the coming weeks, the current squad of six will be cut to five, including a travelling reserve.
As an indication of how hotly contested the spots are, they’ve used three different combinations in their last three races — and won them all.
“I think in previous years there's always been a certain same five riders who've carried on through five years or a couple of Olympic cycles.. but now we're getting quite a few riders stepping up and making the team competitive for spots,” said Bryony Botha.
Botha, who’s been in the programme for the best part of a decade, said you need that competitive environment to ‘keep you on your toes’, and ‘not get complacent’ – especially ahead of the Olympics.
"You want something to strive for, and that fight to be better than you were yesterday," she said.
So how big of a selection headache does coach Manning have?
“Well I don’t... they do,” he said.
His coaching style one that empowers the athletes to take ownership, with guidance and support.
“It’s a very grown-up conversation and if they're prepared to have it and justify their spot in the squad, articulate what they bring to make it quicker.. that's what we're trying to do.
Manning says he doesn't know whether many other teams aere trying a similar approach. "It's hard.. but it's really powerful,” he said.
The athletes agree.
“He gives us the reins quite a lot to make our own decisions and learn from them and I think having that space to grow as individuals and a team and having that responsibility makes a massive difference,” said Ally Wolloston.
“Pushing the boat out and not being afraid to fail I think in racing is a mantra he's brought into the team and we've taken it and ran with it and you can see in the results it's paying off,” she said.
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