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“They have set this precedent that the British cycling team is one of the best teams in the world.
“Sometimes, you might find yourself thinking: How did we end up being these people?”
“Laura Kenny, Eleanor Parker and Joanna Russell have set such a standard for us that we want to continue doing so.”
Kenny won five Olympic gold medals and seven World Championship gold medals while Parker won gold at the Rio Olympics for seven world titles. Russell is a double Olympic champion and five-time world champion.
“People look at us as the best, whether we are or not,” Knight added. “So we just have to take confidence from that and know that as much as we look at other countries, they all look at us.
“We can do it nine times out of 10, so we have hope.
“I don’t want to jinx anything, but it would be really nice to win it three times in a row, that would be special.”
Roberts was part of the 2024 team and says the competition will be tough in Santiago.
“Everyone is very strong, and I think we’re thinking about the other teams as well,” said Roberts, one of three Welsh riders in the sextet alongside Morris and Parker.
“The power in women’s cycling now is really high, you all have to really give your best.”
With the addition of 22-year-old Leach, the shape of the back four in the squad may look different again, but it is a challenge the team relishes.
“I think with the program we have here at British Cycling, with the podium potential and the younger riders and the people responsible for training them, you know when a younger guy comes in, they know what they’re doing, they’ve done it,” Knight said.
“They may have done it at a slower speed but you can trust them straight away, so it’s not a trust thing at all.
“It’s just learning how to ride someone, that comes with its challenges but it’s part of the event and the beauty of the team pursuit.”
In addition to the team pursuit, all riders on the women’s endurance team will also compete in individual events.
Knight will seek glory in the individual pursuit but will face stiff competition from fellow Team GB member Morris, who set two world records in the event this year.
Roberts will be looking to do better than the silver she won at the Omnium last year.
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