Pro cyclist interview: Ed Clancy on Wiggo, world silver and Rio
Double Olympic champion believes team pursuit squad have plenty of cause for optimism
Englishman Ed Clancy is a professional cyclist with a particular focus on the track. He is considered by many to be one of the preeminent team pursuit riders in the sport. Clancy’s career has been painted in one colour, gold, and he has stepped to the head of the podium in most of track cycling’s major competitions. Clancy was born in Barnsley in March 1985, and his father bought him his first bike at the age of five. He was part of the first group to enter the British Cycling Academy.
At the age of twenty Clancy claimed the top spot in the Team Pursuit at the 2005 Track Cycling World Championships. He won the same title in similar style in both 2007 and 2008, cementing his reputation as a team-riding specialist. 2008’s victory was overshadowed by an even greater achievement, however. Clancy was part of the team that broke the world record twice on their way to the Team Pursuit Olympic gold medal in Beijing, beating their rivals in the final by an incredible 6.7 seconds; as a result he was awarded an MBE in the 2009 New Year Honours list for services to his sport.
Clancy continued to dominate in his specialism over the following years, but also showed his diversity by succeeding in the Omnium and the Kilo at World level as well a competing on the road for several professional teams. 2012 brought another World Championship and Olympic gold double in the Team Pursuit, as well as another world record. In 2012 Clancy replaced the retiring Sir Chris Hoy in the British track sprint team.
