Dickinson not fazed by senior success ahead of Manchester World Cup

Heading into 2017, Dickinson had yet to score a European title, at any level, but is now continental Madison queen at both U23 and senior level.

Add to that a fourth-place overall finish at Six Day London - as well as a third place in the UCI omnium against some of the best riders in the world - and Dickinson's recent achievements really start to rack up.

The 19-year-old is still classed as a senior academy rider at British Cycling, belying the promise shown by her recent results.

This weekend she will forego the GB jersey to don the red of Team Breeze as Manchester hosts the second leg of the TISSOT UCI Track World Cup.

Riding with her fellow academy riders, Dickinson will contest the team pursuit and scratch race for what is, effectively, British Cycling's development team.

But anyone just expecting Dickinson to be there to make up the numbers is sorely mistaken - even is the normally familiar surroundings do feel a bit alien this week.

"I'm learning a lot about the riders. Every time I get back on the track I'm looking to learn about the race and do what I can to win and get onto the podium," she said.

"But a scratch race is a funny one, it can either go really well or really badly - hopefully it goes really well.

"I'm really excited and can't wait to get stuck into the racing.

"It feels a bit like we need to show the other nations who's boss. But it feels like a different track, it feels like a different place with everyone else in there.

"It feels strange, but it feels exciting."

Dickinson's senior European title came alongside world Madison silver medallist Elinor Barker, and the two namesakes seem to have developed a bond in their time on the track together.

But while world points race champion Barker's ambitions may currently be somewhat more lofty than Dickinson's, the younger rider has not been overawed by her experiences at senior level.

"Me and El, we rode together in the Madison for the LA World Cup last season and it didn't really go to plan," admitted Dickinson.

"But we learned a lot from that and I think through training together - we do train Madison as a squad and always swapping partners around - to know that I had her as a partner and to know she's an amazing rider, gave me confidence at the Europeans.

"I've never felt under pressure to perform in the senior team. There are Olympic champions in the team and a lot of people would say it's a lot of pressure to come into the team, but they've been so lovely with me.

"El started with the senior squad when she was my age, so she understands that sometimes it can get quite a lot, but everyone's great with me."

Sportsbeat 2017