Sunday 31 July 2016 16:32, UK
London 2012 gold medallist Dani King admits she remains “gutted” at missing out on selection for the Rio Olympics.
King rode alongside Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell as the trio broke the world record and clinched team pursuit gold on the track at the London Velopark four years ago.
Following a serious training crash in 2014, King switched her attention to road cycling, but was a surprise omission for Rio after selectors picked Emma Pooley and Nikki Harris to join Commonwealth champion Lizzie Armitstead on the road team.
King has performed well for her Wiggle High5 team, notching a number of top-10 finishes this year, and also placing seventh at the Philadelphia International Cycling Classic, last month.
"I'm obviously really gutted about the selection," King told Sky Sports News HQ.
"I'm in really good form so it is even more gutting knowing I could have done a really good job for the team but I'm not bitter about it. I'm wishing all the girls well for the race.
"I think the cycling team always step up for a major competition and they know how to get things right come the day of competition.
"I went down to watch the track team at their holding camp in Newport and they are all looking on top form. I am really excited to see them compete.
"They'll be in the best shape they can be and hopefully that means a lot more gold medals."
King visited Sky Sports News HQ on Sunday along with Wiggle5 team-mate and double world junior road race champion Lucy Garner.
Garner expects the pursuit team to once again compete for gold in Rio and is also excited about Armitstead's prospects despite a treacherous hilly route for the road race.
"The women's pursuit team will want to retain their title but we've also got [a genuine gold medal prospect in] Lizzie Armitstead on the road who is the current world champion," Garner said.
"Yes it will be a very tough course but she is very determined. I think she's got a good chance to bring the gold medal back."
Both King and Garner raced through the capital's streets in the RideLondon Classique on Saturday, which was won by Dutch rider Kirsten Wild.
"The amount of support we got out on course was incredible," Garner said.
King added: "It's always amazing to go back and race in London. I've ridden in the Ride London event for a couple of years.
"It was just amazing with all the support on the side of the road. I had all of my family there to support me and it brought back so many memories from London 2012.
"It's always a very special for me to go and race my bike."
