Back to work soon for Staff

After a memorable season on the track, team sprint ace Jamie Staff (Team Sky+ HD) has taken a well earned rest with his family ahead of a return to training for next season. Staff was a part of the all-conquering Great Britain squad at last year’s Beijing Olympics, teaming up with Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny to capture gold in the team sprint, the trio setting a new world record in the process.

“I just got back from holidays so I’m pretty relaxed at the moment. We went to California and did six weeks in a campervan” said Staff when Cyclingnews caught up with the 36-year-old, now at home in Manchester. “I’m selling the house at the moment. With the Olympics last year, I’m just organising my life and catching up on stuff I’ve had to put on hold.”

Any interruption to domestic life was justified last August as Staff charged towards gold on the first night of Olympic competition at the Laoshan velodrome. Success in China, however, was not the only triumph of the season for Staff and his team mates. Carrying their Olympic momentum through from the games in China he combined yet again with Hoy and Kenny, this time for trade team Sky+ HD, to take the top step of the podium at February’s World Cup round in Copenhagen. Staff and the National team sprint squad reconvened at the end of March in Poland, with Matthew Crampton taking the place of the injured Hoy. The three were able to combine to a second successive silver medal, behind France, at the World Championships.

Admitting that he had barely ridden since the World Championships Staff is yet to settle upon an agenda for the next twelve months, preferring instead to focus upon a gradual build up to the post-Olympic season. “I haven’t really though about it. I briefed my trainer a little while ago about what I wanted to do” he said. “I did my first ride [since the World Championships] two days ago on the mountain bike. I’m looking to get going soon, into the gym and so on. I’m not going to rush. I’m aiming to get super-fast by the time next season comes around”

Staff’s many fans will be pleased to hear that has no intention of resting upon his laurels. “I will join the team again soon. I’m starting to get itchy feet.”