HAMPSHIRE cycling star Dani King has received a double boost after her hopes of defending her Olympic track title with Jo Rowsell and Laura Trott were dashed.

The 24 year-old from Hamble, who is now focused on road racing, has extended her contract with Wiggle Honda - and has announced her engaged to fiancé Matt Rowe.

 

 

King won team pursuit gold with Trott and Rowsell and London 2012, but was told by British Cycling last week that she was not in their plans for Rio 2016 becaue of concerns over her endurance, the event having been increased from 3m to 4km.

British Cycling's decision came less than a year after her life-threatening crash in training, in which she suffered five broken ribs and a collapsed lung.

“I guess, after the accident, time wasn’t exactly on my side," she told the Daily Telegraph. "I only got back racing on the road in late spring.

"But you know, I did the best I could and I’m proud of that. I was coming from a season on the road, whereas the other girls have had a whole season on the track, including the world track championships earlier this year.

"I had to train completely on my own, on a bike which was five years old. I was training in Newport in open sessions just trying to get some time on the track. And I came in [to the camp] and was able to hold my own on the majority of efforts.

“Yes, I struggled a bit on some key efforts but I think, taking everything into consideration, I did well. I was not miles behind the others. Did they give me enough time?

"Potentially not. But it is what it is. I have always had a good relationship with British Cycling and I hope I will continue to do so. I just have to knuckle down now and try to make that road team."