Cycling: Pendleton was ideal platform for Baird plan

Published on Tuesday 27 October 2009 08:46

RISING cycling star Emma Baird believes she can use her experience of a head-to-head clash with world No.1 Victoria Pendleton as a platform to build an international career.

It is only six months since the 20-year-old Capital rider first took to the saddle after injury forced her to call time on promising twin careers as a footballer and athlete.

"I played for Hibs Girls and I ran 100 metres and 200 metres but I had a shin injury and I couldn't get over it," she explained.

The turning point was a word of advice from Alan Lynn, a coach at the Scottish Institute of Sport based at Stirling University, where Baird was studying for a sports science degree – she graduated earlier this year.

Lynn pointed her in the direction of the Gold4Glasgow testing programme set up to identify athletes from other sports who are potential medallists in cycling at the 2014 Commonwealth Games.

With the switch completed, Baird's first major test came last week at the National Championships in Manchester where, after setting a personal best in finishing ninth in the 500 metres time trial, she qualified for the knockout stages of the sprint and a match against Pendleton.

"I didn't expect to qualify and it was a massive step to be up against Vicky", she admitted. "It was really nerve wracking and a bit surreal because she is the person I aspire to be like. To be there after just six months as a cyclist was a great experience."

Like all Scots, Baird faces the perennial problems of having limited training facilities – the Meadowbank track is now closed until spring.

In seeking to progress towards achieving her goals, she has discovered an ally in the shape of former world champion Craig MacLean. "I don't have a track bike of my own but Craig is helping me out, so that's one positive that came out of the Nationals," she added.