Rio 2016 Olympics: Cycling gold medallist Callum Skinner ‘always had need for speed’, says his mum

Too quick: Great Britain's Callum Skinner, left, celebrates following the Men's team sprint final with Jason Kenny and Philip Hindes
David Davies/PA

The mother of Olympic cycling champion Callum Skinner today told how her gold medal-winning son “always did have a need for speed”.

Skinner, 23, stormed to glory in the men’s team sprint last nig

ht alongside Jason Kenny and Philip Hindes, bringing Team GB’s gold tally to four.

All eyes were on the Scot who took Sir Chris Hoy’s place in the trio which won gold in the event at London 2012, with Team GB having also won the event at Beijing 2008.

It meant a lot of “pressure” on Skinner, according to mother Judith Crichton, who said he wanted to go fast ever since being bought his first bike as a child.

She told the Standard: “He always loved biking, we did a lot of biking as a family and he had his first bike when he was three or four.

“He went to the velodrome in Edinburgh one time at the end of the track season and just absolutely loved it, so I just think it was that need for speed. He always did have a need for speed — fast cars, fast motorbikes, anything fast is good with him.”

Skinner helped clinch the title in a thrilling final against New Zealand which was won by a whisker.

The trio, who set a new Olympic record, finished on 42.440 in the final, 0.102 ahead of second place New Zealand, with France taking bronze. It meant they averaged 39.53mph over three laps.

Long dubbed the “next Chris Hoy”, Skinner said it felt “unbelievable” to retain the 2012 crown and follow in his cycling hero’s footsteps. Hoy is Britain’s most successful Olympian with six gold medals.

Skinner said: “It’s huge to have been able to do this. Any comparison to Chris is hugely flattering, he’s one of the most successful Olympians Britain has and I’m just flattered.

Mother Judith, who sent her son a “good luck” text before the race and cheered him from the stands, said Hoy nurtured her son and helped propel him to last night’s medal glory.

She said: “It’s an honour for him to follow Chris, he is a mentor, they trained together and they both come from Edinburgh. Chris has been a huge inspiration and he’s been so supportive in the lead-up.”

Skinner’s girlfriend, Jenny Narbutas, 22, who was back in the UK, tweeted: “So so proud. I’ve cried 3 times. I’ve been a mess tonight. So many emotions. So proud.”

Cheers: Callum Skinner with girlfriend Jenny Narbutas

She added: “My boyfriend has won an Olympic medal for cycling and I cannot ride a bike.”

All eyes will turn on the Velodrome again tonight as Laura Trott, Katie Archibald, Elinor Barker and Joanna Rowsell-Shand go for gold in the women’s 4000m team pursuit after qualifying last night while setting a new world record of 4.13.26min.

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