WITH a wistful smile, Charline Joiner stood track centre at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome watching the racing unfold. While her eyes followed the progress of riders as they sped around the Siberian pine boards, the Commonwealth Games silver medallist quietly reflected on her own past achievements.
Joiner, 28, announced her retirement from professional cycling on Saturday. She will begin a new role working as a personal trainer and cycling coach based at Hampden Sports Clinic in Glasgow.
It marks the end of what has been a monumental chapter in her life, one that has seen Joiner compete in two Commonwealth Games and battle back from potentially career-ending injury when she fractured three vertebrae in her spine during a training ride crash in Spain in 2014.
With a catch in her voice, Dunfermline-born Joiner admitted to “mixed emotions” about her decision. “After a lot of years and almost as many injuries I feel now is the time to take on fresh challenges,” she said. “It’s been an emotional decision, but it is the right one for me.”
In years gone by, she would have been among the thick of the action. On Saturday afternoon, Joiner was in the rider pens giving pep talks, changing wheels and handing out recovery drinks to some of the younger cyclists competing in the second round of the 2016/17 Revolution Series.
“I’m happy because I have really exciting things to look forward to in the future, but I’m also sad because cycling is such a big love,” she said. “It has made it a bit more tearful seeing old team-mates that I raced with at the Commonwealth Games and other fantastic events over the years.
“There is a great community in women’s cycling. Racing internationally and across the UK you build so many friendships with other riders. Hopefully I will stay in the sport and continue to get to see everyone, just on a different level.”
Joiner has won multiple Scottish titles alongside a clutch of British medals on the track and road. She began her sporting career as a gymnast before switching to hockey at university, but a series of shin and knee injuries saw Joiner take up cycling in 2007.
She is now keen to share her wealth of knowledge with others. “I want to give back to the sport and would love to think of myself as a role model and mentor for the younger Scottish girls,” she said.
Should Joiner need a guiding hand to navigate her sporting retirement, she has big brother Craig – who won 25 Scotland rugby caps between 1994 and 2000 – on speed dial. “I will probably call him and arrange to have a long chat,” she said, smiling. “He will have good advice.”
Among the Scots in action as Revolution Series came to Glasgow was Olympic gold medallists Katie Archibald and Callum Skinner.
Archibald finished top in the elimination race, the event in which she is the reigning European champion. Her compatriot and Podium Ambition p/b Club La Santa team-mate Neah Evans also had a strong showing with wins in the flying lap and scratch race.
It took Skinner a little longer to find his legs, but he triumphed in the final race of the evening with victory in the sprint omnium 750m handicap.
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