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Sports Awards 2012: Leicestershire cycling duo in the running

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Britain's women cyclists shone on the road and track at the London Olympics.

Riders of the calibre of Victoria Pendleton, Laura Trott and Lizzie Armitstead all grabbed the headlines with their medal-winning performances.

British Cycling, the sport's governing body in this country, is determined to ensure a conveyor belt of quality young riders is in place to follow up those successes.

The first stage of that pathway to the top is the Talent Team, where there is a strong county representation.

Melton's Gary Coltman, a former professional rider, is performance manager of the squad, which this year features two of Leicestershire's rising cycling stars, Grace Garner and Charlotte Broughton.

"The first aim of the Talent Team is to supply the other British Cycling programmes which sit above it with a pool of athletes of the right quality," said Coltman. "The other aim is to increase the pool of talented athletes."

Both Garner and Broughton produced a series of gold medal-winning performances last season and are contenders in this year's Mercury Sports Awards.

Garner, 15, is nominated in the Young Sportswoman section, while Charlotte, 14, in the Junior Sportswoman section.

Top of Garner's list of successes in 2012 was victory in the junior pursuit event in Manchester, which helped her earn selection to the Talent Team for a second consecutive year.

However, Coltman believes the Cosby girl has the ability to thrive in any area of cycling she chooses.

"Grace is a very fast athlete," he said. "She has a lot of sprint capability – when you see her ride she has tremendous leg speed. She could almost choose any pathway she wants to in cycling."

Broughton, from Countesthorpe, took national crowns on the road and track in 2012 and has just had her first taste of the Talent Team environment with a training camp in Manchester.

"Charlotte is new to the programme and is learning what it is all about," Coltman said. "She excelled in all her disciplines last season, is tactically aware and has a lot of all-round ability."

The Countesthorpe College duo were part of a team pursuit squad, alongside Derby's Hannah Blount, which ripped up the national record at Newport in September. Representing the East Midlands at the Inter Regional championships, they produced a blistering 2min 25sec ride to eclipse the previous best by five seconds, emphasising why they are so highly regarded in their sport.

To nominate an athlete or team, complete the form below. Nominations close on December 4.

Sports Awards 2012: Leicestershire cycling duo in the running


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