JOSIE KNIGHT

 

The youngest member of the Irish Track Cycling Team is Josie Knight, who has a junior rider has exploded onto the international scene, winning a silver medal in the Individual Pursuit at the European Championships, as a first year junior. Less than a year on and she is representing the Ireland in the Senior Track Cycling World Championships, as part of the Women’s Team Pursuit. The Dingle rider has been based in Majorca with the Irish team for much of the track season, and has raced in two World Cups; London and Cali.

We caught up with Josie Knight at the 2015 Track Cycling World Championships in Paris, where she raced in the Elite Women's Team Pursuit, finishing in 16th place. Josie was the youngest Irish rider to compete in a World Cup season on an elite team, and after the race she took in the atmosphere, building on her experience all the time. 

LISTEN TO JOSIE KNIGHT SPEAKING ABOUT CYCLING BY CLICKING HERE

From: Dingle, Co. Kerry

Club: Team Ibike

Date of Birth: 29/03/1997


How did you get involved with cycling?

As a family we had always ridden bikes just for fun and then 2 years ago someone said to us that there was a race on in Kerry and that we should try it so we heading along to that and got absolutely hooked on the sport

 

Had you been involved with other sports before cycling?

Yes, I'd done every sport possible in school... GAA, Basketball, cross country running even tried camogie but was never really any good at any of them!

 

Who has been your biggest influence, and why?

 

My biggest influence would have to be my dad, he is the one who trained me from day one and got me good enough to be noticed by cycling Ireland and he taught me how to suffer and that hard work always pays off, if it wasn't for him I wouldn't be where I am today

 

What is your favourite cycling session?

I don't have a favourite cycling session really I love anything that's on the track to be honest.. Also love a good sprint session on the wattbike

 

What’s your biggest achievement to date?

Silver medal at the junior Europeans in the summer would have to be my biggest achievement so far.. Although being on this team pursuit team as a junior would be up there too

 

And this year... What are your season goals?

I have a lot of goals for this year! But I'd rather not say what they are haha! I like to keep them to myself and the people who can help me make them happen

 

Everyone loves cycling – what do you love most?

That's a tricky question, I love everything about it! But I think the fact that we get to travel the world and meet so many different people is a big thing!