Jess Varnish
As the daughter of a professional rider, cycling was always going to play a large part of Jess Varnish’s life. But no-one could have imagined how quickly – and successfully – she'd become a world class athlete. Seven years ago when London won the Olympic bid, it would have been a bold prediction even to say Jess would have been involved. Unfortunately, after setting a World Record in the first heat, Jess and Victoria Pendleton were disqualified for an incorrect change-over.
Fast facts
- With team-mate Victoria Pendleton, Jess holds the world record for women's team sprint
- Jess has a train named after her (Virgin Pendolino number 390027!)
- Her father, Jim Varnish, was the 1985 cycle speedway world champion.
Jess began track cycling at an early age and was selected to join British Cycling’s Olympic Development Programme in 2005, a year ahead of her age group. At her first experience of racing at elite level, the 2008-09 World Cup series in Manchester, she won the gold medal with Anna Blyth in the Team Sprint. She's since collected another two medals at World Cup competitions, and in 2010 came fourth in the team sprint at the World Championships with Victoria Pendleton.
At the 2012 UCI Track Cycling World Cup in London, Jess got the perfect preparation for this year's Olympics. Along with team-mate Victoria Pendleton, she broke the world record for the women's team sprint, taking gold on the brand new velodrome track. This has been her defining moment of her career so far. Jess had a dissapointing London 2012 but will surely come back stronger and win Gold in Rio 2016.
