Risca cyclist Sam Harrison eyes Commonwealth glory (From Campaign Series)

Risca cyclist Sam Harrison eyes Commonwealth glory

11:36am Wednesday 13th March 2013 in Sport

RISCA’S Sam Harrison has his sights set on Commonwealth Games glory for Wales next year.

Harrison was part of the British team who claimed a silver medal in the team pursuit at the World Track Cycling Championships in Minsk last month.

And the ambitious Cwmcarn Paragon product now has his sights firmly set on improving on his fourth placed finish in the points race in Delhi in 2010 when he heads to Glasgow for next year’s edition of the Commonwealth Games.

Harrison said: “I want to keep building on my experience at the world championships towards the Commonwealth Games next year and beyond.

“I think the track will be my main focus at the Commonwealth Games.

I went reasonably well in 2010 but this time I want to get a medal.

“If I was able I’d like to ride in a supporting role in the road events as well.

“There are a lot of decent Welsh road riders now, like Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe, who could be potential medallists. But my big goals will be on the track.”

While following fellow Welshman Geraint Thomas off the pursuit team and into Team Sky’s Tour de France road squad is a long term goal, Harrison first wants to emulate his fellow Welshman in the velodrome.

“I’ve still not achieved my goals on the track.

“In four years’ time, if I’ve won an Olympic medal and a few more world championship medals, it is something I will take into serious consideration.

“But team pursuit has now become quite specialist in the technique and performance; you have to commit in the winter and not go between road and track. I want to stamp my authority on a place in the team pursuit squad in the years to come and make a name for myself in the team.”

And Harrison hailed the current boom in Welsh cycling as inspiring him to press on for further success.

“Welsh cycling has a lot of role models at the moment, Geraint Thomas and Luke Rowe both riding professionally for Team Sky and the women like Becky James and Elinor Barker have just become world champions.

“If you are a young cyclist in Wales you have an abundance of people to look up to now.

“Combined with the facilities and coaches in Wales and the velodrome in Newport, it’s ideal to get where you want to be as a cyclist.

“Having role models who train on the same roads and prepare for international championships on your track makes success seem more achievable,”he said.