Madeline is Barton Peveril’s British Triathlete

@bartonpeveril student Madeline Cooper is a British Triathlete (@BritTri) and has had another successful season, despite the limitations imposed by the Coronavirus pandemic. 

The former Wildern School pupil has participated in four training days with British Triathlon, which are focused on honing the student’s racing skills through experiencing real races once again, and was recently selected to represent the Great Britain Cycling Team in a World Cup Cyclo-cross race in Tabor, Czech Republic between 26th and 30th November 2020. The first-year student was also selected to represent the Great Britain Cycling Team in the European Championships but these were subsequently cancelled due to travel restrictions.

Cyclo-cross is a form of bicycle racing consisting of many laps of a short course featuring pavement, wooded trails, grass, steep hills and obstacles requiring the rider to quickly dismount, carry the bike while navigating the obstruction and remount.

Madeline Cooper placed 20th in a highly competitive field, at the World Cup Cyclo-cross race in Tabor, Czech Republic. After following very stringent safety measures, and traveling via car to the race because of the enhanced safety this mode of transport offered, the student commented on the race:

“It was a very high standard; a race that was fast and furious from the start to the end, but a great experience nonetheless. I want to keep pushing, keep improving and to be able to improve my positioning in any future races or competitions that I am selected for. Fantastic experience and I am looking forward to the World Championships (if it gets the go ahead!).”

Barton Peveril Teacher of Sport Alix Christopher, who also coordinates the College’s Talented Athlete Scholarship Scheme that Cooper benefits from, commented on the student’s success:

“We’re so proud of Madeline’s continued hard work and her many accomplishments. Madeline has continued to train and compete at such a high standard despite the difficulties this year has thrown her way and we cannot wait to see what she achieves next!”