Lindley cyclist Maddie Leech won a bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham – but the celebrations are on hold.
Maddie, 19, won the medal along with teammates Laura Kenny, Josie Knight, Sophie Lewis and Grace Lister in the 4000m women’s team pursuit.
But the celebrations will have to wait as Maddie isn’t done yet and is preparing to compete in a road race on Monday August 8.
Maddie’s mum Joanna told Huddersfield Hub the family had met up with Maddie after Friday’s medal success. It was emotional as they hadn’t seen Maddie for weeks.
Joanna said: “We caught up with her after her final race. It was really lovely to see her as we haven’t seen her in person for a few weeks.
“It was good to hear about what they’d been up to during the build-up to the races and what her plans are for the forthcoming road race. We’re looking forward to seeing her again after the games so we can celebrate properly.”
Joanna revealed that she was more nervous for the team’s qualifying event than she was for the finals themselves.
She added: “We were probably more nervous watching the Team Pursuit qualifiers as we really wanted the team to go well and set a fast enough time to get through to the medal finals.
“It was nerve-wracking waiting for all the teams to set their times. It was more nervous excitement for the bronze medal final against Wales.
“The roar of the crowd made it even more exciting to watch as it was a very close race. It was brilliant when Team England managed to pull it back during the latter part of the race to win.”
Maddie has also raced in the individual pursuit event and whilst she didn’t place for a medal she did set a personal best time.
Joanna said: “She improved her 3000m Individual Pursuit and the 4000m Team Pursuit times by four or five seconds – it’s not something they get to practice or do a lot, so she was really pleased to see such an improvement.”
Maddie will now look for another medal chance in the women’s road race. Joanna insists that Maddie is not only determined but excited to go up against some of the best cyclists in the world and she will have a number of family members down in Warwick cheering her on.
“Maddie is really looking forward to meeting up with her England teammates and racing against a world class field, which she hasn’t had much experience of before,” said Joanna.
“A lot of the family are planning on going to Warwick to cheer her and Team England on at the side of the road.
“We’re all incredibly proud of her as we know how hard she works. To get the opportunity to race and then medal at a home Commonwealth Games is fantastic and memorable.”
