World champion Lizzie Armitstead (Boels-Dolmans) cannot fix all the current issues within women’s cycling but admits that she is aware of her responsibility within the sport as a role model and ambassador.
Women’s cycling has been under the spotlight in recent days due to revelations and allegations made by several high-profile riders. Jessica Varnish, Victoria Pendleton, Nicole Cooke and Emma Pooley have all expressed concerns and claims centred around sexism and a ‘culture of fear’ at the core of British Cycling. The allegations have so far been denied but Shane Sutton the former Performance Director has stood down and an independent review has been set up.
Speaking just after Jessica Varnish lifted the lid last week, Armistead told Cyclingnews that she accepted her role as a ambassador for women’s cycling but admitted that it at times had a taxing nature on her time.
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“It doesn’t grate with me. I accept the responsibility,” she told Cyclingnews.
“I’ve always been someone who throughout my life will speak up. It’s tiring and it can cost me a lot of energy throughout the season because instead of being asked about my training or racing I’m asked a lot about women’s cycling."
One of the frustrations for Armitstead is that along with being a 100 per cent dedicated athlete at the top of the sport she is frequently asked for her opinion on how to improve, build and reform women’s cycling – a job the sporting governing bodies struggle with on their own.
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