Strength in depth a blessing and curse as Barker reflects on mixed year

A home Track World Cup provided the chance of a perfect ending but the Olympic champion wasn't able to finish with a flourish, riding to fifth place in the multi-event omnium.

That was despite a determined and ambitious break in the final points race, unable to close the gap on eventual winner Kirsten Wild with the world champion impenetrable at the Lee Valley VeloPark.

With that came the end of the year for Barker and a moment to reflect on what has gone, though not even she was sure how to absorb a 2018 that's highs included winning European and Commonwealth titles on the track.

"It's been a bit of a funny one. If I don't think about it my initial reaction is I'm quite happy to get 2018 finished and done with," she said.

"But actually, if I look back there's been some really positive results in there, so I think I'm probably being a little bit harsh on myself. But that's probably a product of the team that I'm in.

"It was a pretty tough points race. I wasn't really looking to defend fifth, so I was trying really, really hard to get that lap.

"Idealistically, I was kind of hoping I could get two and that would put me in contention but that was a little bit of a pipe dream in the end. I'm glad I tried, and I'm fairly surprised I managed to stay in fifth, no-one really seemed to move around a lot."

But while a year of tricky decisions is all but done with, one more tough question is still rattling around Barker's mind as she winds down for the Christmas break.

"I think I might try and go to Sports Personality tomorrow night, but I'll see how I feel, I might just stay in bed," she added.

Britain were not without their success on the second night in London, with Matt Walls and Fred Wright bagging Madison silver to send the home crowd home happy.

The youthful pair were up against seasoned veterans but well and truly held their own, 30 points and second place their prize ahead of Spain.

Denmark were the dominant winners, Julius Johansen and Casper von Folsach taking a lap en route to 46 points.

"We're over the moon, we knew going into it we had decent legs but to come out with a medal is something else," said Walls.

"Even when we were racing and really putting the power down, we could still hear the crowd, especially in those closing few laps. You can really hear them and it gives them that extra push to keep fighting and get to the line."

Wright added: "I've never been on the front foot of a race like that in front of so many people, so it's kind of indescribable.

"I can't believe I've done it and I really want to do it again, to be honest.

"It's definitely one of the best tracks in the world, it's one of the best buildings in the world. It's so cool and it's so good to be here."

Elsewhere, Olympic bronze medallist Katy Marchant put in a strong showing in the women's sprint before bowing out in the quarter-final stage.

She lost out to Australian Stephanie Morton, the eventual champion, while team-mate Lauren Bate reached the 1/16 stage.

British riders were in striking distance of another medal as Jack Carlin – riding for Team Inspired – finished fourth in the keirin.

The final day of action will see a whole host of Olympic champions in action, with Katie Archibald and Laura Kenny teaming up for the Madison, while husband Jason goes for gold in the sprint.

Sportsbeat 2018