Callum Skinner admits the forthcoming European Track Championships are the perfect opportunity for him to push his claims for selection in the team sprint line-up for Rio 2016.
Having joined British Cycling’s Academy Programme in 2010, Skinner has been gradually making a name for himself in the cycling world, most recently taking home all four male sprint titles at British Cycling’s National Track Championships last month.
Those efforts saw the 22-year-old named as part of the 15-strong team for the European Track Championships in Guadeloupe which get underway on Wednesday.
The competition marks the first opportunity to score Olympic qualification points towards Rio and Skinner is already letting his thoughts wander to the 2016 Games where Great Britain will be looking to defend their 2012 crown won by Philip Hindes, Jason Kenny and the now retired Sir Chris Hoy.
“If you want to be at the Olympics doing the sprint or keirin, you have to be in the team sprint and at the moment I’m kind of targeting man three,” said the Scot.
“I had a good run out at the nationals and that went okay and hopefully I get a few more opportunities and prove what I can do in that position but that’s definitely the long-term target and that’s to be man three at the Olympics.”
© Sportsbeat 2014