Killeen changing events to pursue third Commonwealth medal

By David Jordan, Sportsbeat

 CYCLIST Liam Killeen has vowed to temporarily swap the dirt track for the road in a bid to claim his second Commonwealth Games title in Delhi next year.

CHANGING LANES: Liam Killeen will swap the mountain bike for the road next year at Commonwealth Games (British Cyclng)

The 27-year-old shot to prominence at the 2006 Games in Melbourne when he claimed cross-country mountain bike gold - four years after scooping bronze in Manchester.

Killeen won't get the opportunity to defend his title in Delhi next October after mountain biking was dropped from the Commonwealth programme in favour of archery.

However his Indian ambition still burns bright and Killeen believes a switch to road racing could see him climb the podium for the third Games running next year.

"It's disappointing that mountain biking won't be at the Commonwealths because it's a competition I have a lot of time for and really enjoy," said Killeen.

"It was a great experience in 2006 and to win gold was obviously huge for me but even thought my sport won't be there that doesn't mean I won't be there.

"It is in my mind that I want to get there so I'll look at my options and I think I'd be capable enough to compete in the road racing.

"I've done bits and pieces coming through the ranks as a youngster and I believe that the power that I've developed through cross-country racing would make me capable of doing it.

"Given the work we do for the cross-country side of things we have a lot of the skills and the physical attributes needed to do it anyway, so I'm hopeful."

Killeen will still compete in his preferred mountain bike discipline next year and will bid to make the World Championships in Canada in September as well as the Commonwealth Games.

First however Killeen - who finished seventh at the Olympics in Beijing last summer - will concentrate on returning to full fitness after suffering a series of minor injuries this year.

And while Killeen still managed to claim the British cross-country title in July he believes a break to let his body heal will see him reap long term benefits.

"The season just gone wasn't one of the best for me. I had a few niggling injuries - mainly a bad back - and it just meant I never really built up a head of steam," added Killeen.

"I think it was brought about by the volume of competitions I was competing in and also a couple of crashes that I had.

"The back problem really developed after I crashed at the Olympics and I've never really taken a huge amount of time off to let it settle down.

"I'm having a bit of time off the bike at the minute and I'm just going to the gym to maintain my fitness levels.

"In mid November I'll step up my training and really with our season running March to October that will give me plenty of time to be fit."