Sir Chris Hoy believes Katie Archibald is on track for next summer’s Olympics after she stormed to overall victory in the UCI Track Champions League.
The two-time Olympic champion said she was far from her best at the World Championships in August in Glasgow.
However, the 29-year-old Scot won the Champions League for a second time, wrapping up victory during the final two rounds in London last weekend.
“Incredibly impressive, it really bodes well for a massive year,” said Hoy.
Archibald faced the intense spotlight of a home World Championship as she was still coming to terms with the tragic loss of her partner Rab Wardell, a Commonwealth Games cyclist, 12 months earlier.
“We’re starting to see that spark coming back, the smile, the enjoyment of the racing. Just life coming back into her after what was an incredibly difficult year,” six-time Olympic champion Hoy added.
“She wasn’t at her best at the World Championships and I think this is a significant step forward from the Worlds.
“And the team needs her. The team really does rely on a few big-name individuals, not to carry the team but to inspire the team.
“When the big names are firing and on form it lifts everyone else, so she’s absolutely central to the British Cycling campaign and it’s looking good.
“I think she’s definitely getting better and getting to where she needs to be.”
The made-for-TV Champions League, which has just completed its third season, sees endurance riders like Archibald compete in two races per round, the scratch race and the elimination.
It is very different from the team pursuit and the Madison that Archibald will aim for in the Paris Olympics, and comprises only two of the four elements of the omnium, but it will be a significant confidence boost nevertheless.
“This is not a direct comparison to those events but it almost doesn’t matter,” added Hoy.
“It’s about how she’s responding to the competition and getting inspired by the crowd and just starting to bring back that spark and getting her life back on track after what she’s been through.
“As a rider you want to use the event in the right way. I would want to come in and see it as an opportunity to learn about my rivals, see them in some different situations and try different tactics.
“If it doesn’t work out it’s not the end of the world, you’ve not missed out on a world title or an Olympic medal, but having said that the overall Champions League jersey and trophy is a massive thing now, it’s being recognised.”
