‘The pillar of our squad’ – women’s Pursuit team pay tribute to Katie Archibald after memorable gold in Glasgow

The victorious British women’s Pursuit team paid tribute to Katie Archibald after their stunning ride to gold on Saturday night in Glasgow at the Cycling World Championships.

Archibald’s partner Rab Wardell died last year from a cardiac arrest, with the couple having planned to compete at the World Championships together, with Wardell a cyclist in the mountain bike cross-country discipline.

This success was a poignant moment for Archibald, and her team-mates spoke afterwards of what she means to them.

“She’s a very, very important person for us. She’s just the pillar of the squad. I don’t know how she’s made it here. She’s phenomenal,” Elinor Barker told Eurosport.

Team-mate Anna Morris was blown away by the level of support provided by the crowd as they beat New Zealand in a time of 4:08.771.

She said: “It was quite deafening. There was no chance of us hearing anything today, it was so loud. They really carried me home in that last kilometre.”

Josie Knight, part of the winning team, agreed, adding: “It was just insane. It was just so loud, I was like ‘we’ve got to do this, the crowd’s behind us, we’ve got no other option.'”

Speaking earlier to the BBC, Archibald, discussing her warm reception from the crowd, had said: “You don’t really [stay focused with that reception], it is all coming out now with this event.

“Someone was talking about imposter syndrome the other day and you almost have it the other way round, we almost see ourselves as the best in the world but we have not been on the top step since 2014.

“So to have that feeling validated feels good.”

Speaking to reporters in the afterglow of victory, he said: “Absolutely insane. I’m lost for words to be honest. I knew I was riding well this weekend but I never ever expected the win. Yeah, speechless.”

Asked about his handling of the wet and wild conditions, Hatton continued: “I knew Fort William rides really good in the wet. So yeah, I just attacked the same as yesterday.

“I heard some people in the woods had just said that the mud was very thin. So there was still grip and yeah, I just hit on my lines and had a really good run.”

Having taken the lead with 10 racers to go, Hatton admitted that he felt the pressure.

He went on: “Yeah, I just couldn’t believe everyone just kept going below and I was just absolutely amazed.”

Specifically frustrated with the lack of desire among other riders to chase the leader, Ferguson explained: “Second place is amazing but I came here for the jersey. I did come through and tried to encourage the other nations with numbers.

“But unfortunately GB was the only team trying to chase and it didn’t work. I’ve had a good season this year. I came in with no expectations but I’d realised that I was capable of winning.

“GB definitely came in with a plan to win, whether that was me or one of my team-mates, so it is gutting, especially in front of a home crowd.”

Jaco van Gass rode to victory in the C3 Scratch race late on Saturday, blitzing past reigning champion Finlay Graham.

After claiming victory, he said: “It was fantastic to be back and it was good fun. It worked out great for us, and it turned out into a sprint which is his [Finlay Graham] strong point and not mine. I got in the slip stream and it worked in my favour.”

• Mountain Bike Cross-country Marathon: Elite – finals
• Road: Men Elite Road Race
• Track & Para-cycling Track: Sprint, Time Trial, Team Pursuit, Scratch Race, Keirin and Omnium
• BMX Racing: Challenge
• BMX Freestyle Park: Elite – semi-finals
• Track & Para-cycling Track: Individual Pursuit, Sprint, Time Trial, Scratch Race, Keirin, Omnium & Elimination Race