Elinor Barker: Motherhood and Ambitions for Sixth Title at 2023 Cycling World Championships
Elinor Barker: A Cyclist Balancing Motherhood and Track Success
In the world of track cycling, Elinor Barker has been a force to be reckoned with for the past decade. With an impressive five world titles under her belt, she shows no signs of slowing down.
Now at the age of 28, Barker faces an additional challenge as she juggles elite sport with motherhood following the birth of her first child. The presence of young talent around her often makes her feel like both a cyclist and a parent on the bike.
Despite sleepless nights and relying on babysitters, Barker is determined to have her most successful Championships yet. Great Britain has named her in both their provisional track and road squads for the upcoming combined Cycling World Championships taking place in Glasgow from August 3rd to 13th.
Barker recently completed the Giro d’Italia despite battling sickness earlier this month. Now fully recovered and in peak condition, she is ready to take on potentially six events in Glasgow.
“I’ve never done that number before but I’d actually like to have a go at them all,” says Barker confidently. “Madison is my priority, but if there’s only one clash logistically, I could give them all a shot. Physically I feel prepared for any challenge.”
In February’s European Championships, Barker triumphed with gold medals in Madison and team pursuit before shifting focus towards road cycling while also raising her one-year-old son Nico.
Combining the demands of top-level sport and motherhood is not without its difficulties, but Barker’s ability to handle it all depends largely on how much sleep she manages to get. She admits there are times when she questions how long she can continue, but at present, everything seems to be falling into place.
A home World Championships presents a unique advantage for Barker as it allows her to bring along her partner and parents who will help take care of Nico while she gets some much-needed rest in the team hotel before each race.
“After a year filled with sleep deprivation, I’m actually looking forward to this opportunity,” reveals the athlete who receives funding from the National Lottery. “Having my loved ones around makes all the difference.”
Barker acknowledges that being 28 years old with a child does make her feel somewhat like an experienced figure among younger riders. She humorously remarks that to these young talents aged 18 or 19, someone in their late twenties might seem ancient.
Nevertheless, Barker draws inspiration from older athletes who have achieved remarkable success later in their careers. Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins took gold at 36, Annemiek van Vleuten continues winning major races at 39, and Geraint Thomas nearly secured victory at the Giro d’Italia at age 37.
“Considering these examples, I could only be halfway through my career,” muses Barker confidently. “While I still feel nerves ahead of big races because they matter so much to me, over time I’ve learned not to fret too much about things beyond my control.”
The Rising Star: Emma Finucane
Amongst those hot on Barker’s heels is emerging talent Emma Finucane. At just 20 years old, Finucane already boasts four gold medals from this year’s British Track Championships.
“Emma is definitely one to watch. Her talent is simply mind-blowing, and we’re all eagerly awaiting how far she can go,” praises Barker enthusiastically. Paris 2024 Olympics seem well within her reach, but LA 2028 might also be in the cards.
Finucane possesses both the drive to succeed and the ability to handle pressure with ease. However, what truly sets her apart is her exceptional speed on the track.
Barker dreams of securing a sixth world title for herself but expects to play more of a supporting role in the road race during this year’s Championships. Nevertheless, she now has a long-term plan in place after signing a four-year deal with Norwegian team Uno-X Pro Cycling. This includes participation in one of cycling’s most prestigious events – the Tour de France Femmes.
“That would be an absolute dream come true,” exclaims Barker with excitement evident in her voice. “The universal recognition that the Tour de France holds as one of the biggest sporting events worldwide makes it so incredibly special.”