Following her success winning gold in the team pursuit at the 2016/17 UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Glasgow, Ellie was selected for the senior European Championships in Berlin. Here she won silver in the team pursuit, before dominating the Madison with teammate Katie Archibald to win gold. At the UCI Track Cycling World Cup Ellie again won gold in the Madison, before receiving her first individual medal in elite senior cycling, taking bronze in the omnium. Ellie was then selected to be in Team England in the Gold Coast Commonwealth Games where she placed fourth in the team pursuit.
How did you get into competitive cycling?
I got into my sport by taking part in the GORIDE programme British Cycling used to run, where coaches would travel around schools and get kids involved with bike riding. I was mainly just interested in beating everybody, and I happened to do this best on the bike!
From here I went along to the local grass track with my grandad (who also loved to ride.) I would travel every other month to different competitions, which gradually led me into road racing and eventually racing on the track. I have climbed the 'British Cycling ladder' since the start and have now ended up on the Olympic programme! Who would have thought?!
What do you love about your sport and competing on the international stage?
I am super competitive, and I like to be the best in everything I do (everything is always a competition for me!!) However, cycling has taught me so much more than that. The thing I love the most about my sport is that it does go faster. You have to train harder, you can push yourself so much every single time you get on the bike, yet you can also enjoy the easy side of cycling whenever you like. I love the tactics in the sport, and above all else, I love where the sport takes you. You can travel the world and that's special.
How does your usual day look like during competition season?
My average day on the bike will be pretty strict. I really like a set schedule, so I have everything planned out. I will wake up, usually fill up on a big breakfast, I will train, usually, that takes up most the day, it's not very often I just have one session in the day.
During track season I am usually on the track, all day 3-4 times a week, whether that's for double-track or gym and track. Other days, will be road and gym, or if I’m lucky just a long day on the road. So my days are pretty simple: eat, train, sleep, repeat!
How are your days looking with the current Stay At Home directive?
If I’m completely honest, my days aren't much different. I am still training on the turbo. The parts I struggle with are distracting myself from training, like heading out to a cafe or even just going home to see my family. I wake up, have a coffee, my breakfast and fill in my journal which is a new thing I have started since lockdown. It is something I really would like to carry on when things go back to normal, it just allows me to write down and work out how I am feeling, and if I am worried about something it gets it out so I can get on with my day.
I'm lucky I can train on the turbo and have some gym equipment from GB. I also have a little puppy so getting to adventure outside with him has also been super fun!
What is the proudest moment of your career?
My proudest moment so far was when I got to stand on the podium in the women tour of Britain last year (for the best British riders jersey.) I haven't ever felt a proud feeling like that before, it made it more special because I was wearing the ‘Best British Riders Jersey’ as an infant of a British heavy crowd!
Other moments such as turning up to track competitions and looking around at my team as we get on the track for warm-up amongst other countries really make me proud too.
If you weren't an athlete, what would you be doing?
I'm not completely sure... if you were to ask my parents I think they also would be unsure, I change my mind all the time!
I would like to have my own business though, once lockdown is over I am planning to start a jewellery making course with my friend as, after my sporting career, I would love to one day design my own jewellery! I would also really like to get into running once cycling is over, marathons are a big dream of mine.
What injuries have you had and how did/do they affect you?
The first serious injury that has actually stopped me from training has been a knee injury I have had in the last couple of months. Nothing too serious, but they are hard to shake off easily. In that respect, I am lucky to have extra time to train before the Olympics!
It's been hard, like I said, I like a schedule and I hate the unknown, which is really the summary of the past few months! I have really great days and then really rubbish days, so for me, it's been just trying to get a hold of them and try my best to keep a balance and focus on the positives. I am back to training now, building it up slowly, patience is the main thing testing me at the minute.
How does NuroKor help your recovery?
I am so grateful to have NuroKor in my home over this period. I have been using it before and after training, on my knee especially. On rest days I will sometimes sit with it for hours. I believe it has had a huge impact on my recovery!
Where do you use it?
I have been using NuroKor mostly around my knee recently, but after a day of efforts or a long day on the bike, I will also use it on my back to loosen those aches and pains up!
What are the goals for you in the near future?
My big goal is still the Olympics next year. I want to make the squad and push for that gold medal! Post Olympics, I will look to have a break then head into fingers crossed a career on the road cycling side of the sport, to hopefully get the feeling back from standing on the podium in last year's women’s tour!
