Tennant on London 2012 team pursuit: Hard part was getting selected

British team pursuit quartet world record Olympics 2008

London 2012 British team pursuiter Andy Tennant has said that it's harder to get into the GB pursuit line-up than it is to compete in the squad.

Speaking before the track events commence at the London 2012 Olympic Games, Tennant said: "There's pressure from all the other guys... fantastic riders that haven't made it to the Olympics that could quite easily be in other teams at the team pursuit and easily be one of their best riders."

Tennant is one of five riders selected for the team pursuit along with Geraint Thomas, Ed Clancy, Peter Kennaugh and Steven Burke. Four riders of the pool of five will be selected to ride in any given round of the team pursuit, which starts with qualifying rounds on Thursday, August 2. The finals take place on Friday, August 3.

"No one comes to the Olympics to come fourth or fifth, we're going for gold," said Tennant. 

Clancy, Thomas, Paul Manning and Bradley Wiggins won team pursuit gold at the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing, China. Manning has retired from competing and is now women's endurance coach, and Wiggins is competing in the road events having won the 2012 Tour de France in July.

To watch Andy Tennant talking about his participation in the team pursuit, click 'play' on the video below.

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