Sky Sports Channel Logo

Cycling News

Home

  • Live on Sky
  • Video
  • Get Sky Sports
  • Sky Bet

Laura Kenny says pulling out of Track World Championships was 'heartbreaking'

Last Updated: 14/03/19 6:54pm

Laura Kenny withdrew from the omnium at the 2019 Track World Championships because of illness
Laura Kenny withdrew from the omnium at the 2019 Track World Championships because of illness

Laura Kenny has revealed that pulling out of the UCI Track Cycling World Championships was a "really heartbreaking" decision because of her dedication to the sport.

The 26-year-old secured silver in the women's team pursuit in Pruszkow, Poland at the end of February, but a sudden illness forced her to withdraw from the omnium - an event she has won at the last two Olympic Games.

Kenny, who was replaced in the event by Katie Archibald, is pragmatic about how her withdrawal will impact her as she builds towards next year's Olympics in Tokyo.

"I've never had to pull out of an event before and to have to pull out of a World Championships was really heartbreaking," she said. "To have to pull out of the one event that you're really focusing on in the year was hard for me to take.

"I think it was the right decision in terms of we are qualifying for the Olympics now and I could have come 16th and not scored any points, so it was worth Katie riding instead of me because there was just no point in me taking away those Olympic qualification points."

Kenny has welcomed the news that there could be more women than men in Team GB for Tokyo 2020

Please use Chrome browser for a more accessible video player

Sky Sports

Kenny has welcomed the news that there could be more women than men in Team GB for Tokyo 2020
Kenny has welcomed the news that there could be more women than men in Team GB for Tokyo 2020

Kenny explained her condition had few symptoms but that a week's rest helped her to fully recover.

"The only warning sign I had that I might be getting ill was I had a bit of lower back pain the night before, but that was literally it," she explained.

"As athletes, you're going to get ill, you're going to get injured, it's one of those things that you just have to move on from. It will just be one of those things where it's in the past and that's where it will have to stay.

Also See:

  • Barker wins World Championship gold
  • Archibald sidelined by concussion

"I get ill and have colds and stuff throughout the year, but I hope it doesn't happen again (at the Olympics)."

Laura Kenny was speaking ahead of the Six Day Manchester event at the National Cycling Centre, 22-24 March. For more information visit sixday.com

Trending

  • 1
    Transfer Centre LIVE! Nketiah staying at Arsenal & finalising new deal
  • 2
    Salah 'sure' of Liverpool stay next season | Mane to reveal decision after CL final
  • 3
    Boehly's £4.25bn Chelsea takeover approved | Kounde deal back on
  • 4
    Fifty of the biggest transfer stories of the summer
  • 5
    Kompany leaves Anderlecht amid talks to become Burnley manager
  • 6
    Papers: Tuchel will be given £200m to spend in summer by Chelsea's new owners
  • 7
    Man Utd transfer rumours: Rashford fighting for future
  • 8
    Wolff: Monaco not our 'happy place' | Ferrari play down Merc revival
  • 9
    Roma vs Feyenoord ECL final preview | Jose: This is history
  • 10
    Who will master Monaco? The definitive guide to F1's ultimate test
  • Video
  • Latest News

Around Sky Sports

Sky Sports

Get Sky Sports

Your sport. Your way. 8 dedicated channels

NOW

Stream on NOW

Live stream Sky Sports with a NOW Sports Membership

Competitions win prizes

Win Win Win

Win in our free to enter competitions section

  • Home
  • Sports
    • Football
    • F1
    • Cricket
    • Rugby Union
    • Rugby League
    • Golf
    • Boxing
    • NFL
    • Tennis
    • Racing
    • Darts
    • NBA
    • Netball
    • GAA
    • MMA
    • More Sports
  • Scores
  • Video
  • TV
  • Sky Bet
  • Games
  • More
    • Transfer Centre
    • Live on Sky
    • Get Sky Sports
    • TV Shows
    • TV Guide
    • Sky Go
    • Now TV
    • Kick It Out
    • Black Lives Matter
    • Sky Zero
    • Podcasts
    • Mobile
    • Twitter
    • Facebook
    • Contact Us
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • Terms & Conditions
  • Twitter
  • Facebook
  • Sky Sports
    • Get Sky Sports
    • Sky Sports Apps
    • Sportinglife.com
    • TEAMtalk.com
    • Football365.com
  • Partners
    • Sky Bet
    • Fantasy Football
    • Super 6
    • Planet Rugby
    • Golf365
    • Planet F1
    • Cricket365
  • Sky Sports Channels
    • Sky Sports Main Event
    • Sky Sports Premier League
    • Sky Sports Football
    • Sky Sports Cricket
    • Sky Sports Golf
    • Sky Sports Racing
    • Sky Sports F1
    • Sky Sports Action
    • Sky Sports Arena
    • Sky Sports News
    • Sky Sports Mix
  • More Sky Sites
    • Sky.com
    • Sky News
    • Sky Group
    • Sky For Businesses
    • Work @ Sky Sports
    • NOW TV
    • Sky Communal TV
    • Bigger Picture
    • Store Locator
    • Advertise With Us
    • Sky TV Accessories
  • Terms & Conditions
  • Privacy & Cookies Notice
  • Privacy Options
  • Accessibility Information
  • Contact Us

Sky Sports Channel Logo ©2022 Sky UK