Great Britain’s Katie Archibald is a legend of the track, winning Olympic gold in the team pursuit at the 2016 Rio Games and Madison gold alongside Laura Kenny at the Covid-19 delayed Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games, where she also won team pursuit silver. She’s also a four-time UCI World Champion (team pursuit in 2014, omnium in 2017 and 2021, and Madison in 2018). The 29-year-old is aiming for further success at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships, which are taking place in Glasgow and across Scotland between 3-13 August. The host city has a special place in Archibald’s heart…
Katie, thank you for your time. What is your connection to Glasgow?
I have a base in Manchester so I can train at the National Cycling Centre when we prepare for major championships, but my home is in the south side of Glasgow. I grew up to the north of Glasgow, though, in a town called Milngavie.
What event(s) are you aiming for in Glasgow?
The team pursuit, the Madison and the omnium. I’ve been UCI World Champion in each of these events in the past but never in the same year. I think we have a realistic chance of getting on the podium in all three at home.
How does the Chris Hoy Velodrome, which is hosting the track meet, compare to other tracks?
It’s a bit steeper than some (45 degrees in the bankings). The transitions are quite harsh. It can be an aggressive track if you want to use it that way. I think it suits my racing style, but I also think you must go in with that attitude if you want to be successful so I suppose I would say that.
What has been the highlight of your career to date?
Olympic Madison gold. The thing I love most is training with the pursuit team, but the Madison medal was the accumulation of a lot of work and, if I’m honest, some turmoil as well. So, mounting the top step came with a huge sense of achievement.
Can you talk us through a typical week’s training?
It’s all quite basic. I ride on the road most days, gym twice a week and intensity twice a week (sometimes on the track, often on the turbo trainer). I really like repeating the same week of training again and again so you can build progress into the efforts. It sounds boring but I find it more rewarding than constantly changing the stimulus.
Are there good road rides around Glasgow?
Lots. I always ride the Old Largs Road when I’m visiting my mum in Port Glasgow.
Talking road, are you still competing for Ceratizit-WNT Pro Cycling? If so, how do you balance road and track?
Ceratizit support me as a track rider when I compete for them at the UCI Track Champions League and this extends to riding as a member of the Ceratizit-WNT family all through the summer, too. I’m racing the British National Road, Time Trial and Circuit Race Championships, and I’ll occasionally do the odd local road race, but these goals are always to support my ambitions on the track.
Back to your beloved Glasgow… As cyclists we all love food. Can you recommend places to eat for spectators at the 2023 UCI Cycling World Championships?
I would recommend Lobo, a Mediterranean restaurant in Shawlands that I love. Or Okome (I think it’s mainly Japanese food), that’s also in Shawlands and one of my favourites.
What about historical landmarks worth visiting? And where to go for entertainment?
For culture and art, the readers should visitMackintosh House. For a different kind of culture, they should go toThe Stand Comedy Club.
As for further entertainment ideas, there are no shortage of places in Glasgow but since I’ve gone south-side heavy with the food recommendations, you could visit Òran Mór in the West End for music.
Talking music, do you often attend gigs in Glasgow?
I used to go to gigs every weekend when I was young, but when I went full time on the bike my lifestyle changed quite a lot. The last gig I went to was Frightened Rabbit at the O2 Academy in March of 2018.
Finally, what does Glasgow mean to you?
It means home and it means love.