Date: Tuesday, 21 October 2014
Posted by: Cycling Southland

Erin double rainbowFor the past year Erin Criglington's world championship cycling jersey has been hanging from a coathanger in the family dining room.

It's been a reminder of what she's achieved and what she wanted to achieve.

And it worked.

Criglington has returned to Invercargill with two more rainbow jerseys, after defending her masters individual pursuit title in Manchester and adding the points race title in the women's 40-44 years category to her resume.

Returning as a defending champion meant Criglington was a rider to watch, but there were some benefits, including the fact organisers spelt her name correctly this time.

''Everything was familiar - you knew where the track was, the supermarket, the hotel. You just went back and did it, which was good.''

Criglington had focussed her buildup on defending her pursuit title.

That had an obvious payoff, and helped provide the bonus of the points race title, but also meant she did not have the kick required to dominate in the sprint events.

Criglington was fifth in the 500m time trial, fourth at the end of a sprint finish in the scratch race and fifth in the individual sprint, although she was able to combine with Dutch rider Carolien Van Herrikhuyzen to win bronze in the team sprint.

There will be little time to sit gazing at the additions to her wardrobe for Criglington.

She'll be back training with the sprinters at the Zero Fees velodrome on Monday, with an eye to the national age group championships in Invercargill in March.

Criglington already owns all the titles and records in her age group at national level, but is determined to keep them.

''You just don't want to get beaten, it's the competitive spirit coming out. You want to go there and keep improving, as you get older it gets harder because your body takes longer to recover. ''

Standing on the top of the dais in Manchester was a special moment that Criglington would love to repeat.

''To see the flag and hear the anthem, it was pretty bloody special, and they spelt my name right this time as well,'' she said.

''Never say never. I'd like to say I'll be back in a flash, but all the ducks have got to align.''

Article and photo courtesy The Southland Times

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