Team KGF riders selected for 2018 World Championships

Team KGF track cyclists

Tue 13 Feb 2018

Two riders from Derby Arena based Team KGF have recently been selected to compete on the Great Britain team at the UCI Track World Championships which starts on Wednesday 28 February 2018 in the Netherlands.

Dan Bigham and Charlie Tanfield have impressed British Cycling selectors with their performances over the course of the 2017-18 track season. They recently enjoyed success at the Tissot UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Minsk on Sunday 21 January. Team KGF won pursuit gold and Charlie Tanfield also won the men’s individual pursuit in the fourth fastest time in history, to secure a second gold for the team. The accomplished track cycling team have been supported by the coaches at Derby Arena where they regularly train, since 2015.

The non-programme riders selection marks the first time in 10 years that British Cycling have chosen riders outside the British Cycling programme to represent Great Britain at the World Championships, the last being Kate Cullen in 2008.

The team KGF squads also recently competed at the 2018 HSBC UK National Track Championships from Friday 26 - Sunday 28 January where Tanfield and Bigham both participated in the Individual pursuit gold and silver medal ride.

Councillor Amo Raju, Cabinet member for Leisure, Culture and Tourism said: “Congratulations to Team KGF on their well-deserved success! It’s exciting to hear that a talented local track cycling team are achieving such accolades through training at the velodrome with the support and encouragement of the coaches at Derby Arena.  I hope it inspires many more local people to experience the outstanding facilities and support available at Derby Arena to achieve their ambitions.”

Team KGF have worked alongside the best British manufacturers to develop the fastest equipment available as well as relocating to Derby where they have received huge support from Derbyshire Institute of Sport and Derby Arena. The combination of these relationships is enabling Team KGF to be fully supported all the way to the highest level of track cycling with the Tissot UCI World Cup, as well as targeting the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia.  Alongside Team Manager Ellie Green, Team KGF was formed, riding under the banner of the Karen Green Foundation, a local charity that supports families of those suffering with Leukaemia. 

Phil Kilpatrick, Derby Arena Head Track Cycle Coach said, “We are delighted with the outstanding achievements by Team KGF, who have been training at Derby Arena since 2015 with support from myself, and the other coaching staff. The team moved to Derby full time following their success at the National Track Championships in 2016-2017. Since then the team has gone from strength to strength and we have continued to coach the squad which has expanded to 8 riders. We are all behind KGF at the up-coming riders commonwealth games selections. I feel this shows how Derby Arena has impacted the cycling community in the area and shows the pathway to success can come through either the national programme or Derby Arena's own”.

Derby Arena is hosting the HSBC UK National Men’s & Women’s Omnium Championships on Saturday 17 February 2018 with doors opening from 10.30am. This fast-paced track cycling competition, held under British Cycling and UCI rules, will consist of four events with separate competitions for male and female riders.

Tickets for the Omnium Championships are now on sale for £10 with concession rates and family tickets available from the Sales and Information Centre on 01332 255800 or online. Alternatively, book in person at the Assembly Rooms, Market Place, Derby.