When I look back on my career, I quickly realise I would never have become the athlete I was without the Commonwealth Games.

The Friendly Games kickstarted my cycling career all the way back in 2010, and it was also where I was fortunate enough to win the final medal of my career in 2022.

Not many people remember that I competed at Delhi 2010 – myself included sometimes – but looking back now it was the making of me.

I only went because more established riders turned down the invitation, opening up a ticket for an 18-year-old from just outside London to make the trip to India.

Delhi became infamous for some less-than-ideal facilities - and yes my shower leaked throughout the Games and was never fixed – but it opened my eyes to what a multi-sport Games looked like and I became prepared for competing in all sorts of conditions.

I finished ninth in both of my individual events in Delhi but it was enough to put me onto the Olympic long-list for London 2012, a decision that changed my life. The rest, as they say, is history.

By the time I arrived at my next Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, I was a double Olympic champion and my life had been flipped upside down.

I had won a medal at every championship possible apart from the Commies, an itch I was determined to scratch.

Thankfully, that was exactly what I did by winning the points race ahead of my Great Britain teammates Elinor Barker and Katie Archibald.

The photo of all three of us on the podium, each representing England, Wales, and Scotland, is one of my favourites and really encapsulates the friendly rivalry that exists among the Home Nations that is uniquely expressed at the Commonwealth Games.

If I am honest, I went into the Glasgow Games wanting more than just one medal but illness struck down those chances. I nearly didn’t even get on the start line for the points race until my coach Chris Newton said: “What’s the worst that can happen?”

All the work I had put into learning the points race paid off, not only at Glasgow but two years later at Rio 2016 when it was added to the omnium. The Commonwealth Games were always such a crucial part of my four-year Olympic cycle.

But my best memories were saved for my third and final Games in Birmingham.

I always have to remind myself that the Games were held in Birmingham, because the cycling actually took place in London, but the physical distance never stopped us feeling like a part of the feel-good vibes that always come with a home Games.

Winning team pursuit bronze was special but I managed to save the best until last with scratch race gold.

It turned out to be the final medal of my career, not that I knew at the time, and it is up there with my favourites, right alongside my Olympic golds.

The journey to even get to the Games was probably the toughest I had throughout my career so to be able to go out there and represent England one last time, on the track I won my first Olympic golds, was incredible.

The night before I confessed to my mum that I did not want to compete, but she told me to go out there and ride like it was my last race.

It turned out to be exactly that, and while you don’t get to write your own endings in sport, that was an amazing way to finish.

It is why I am so thrilled to take on the role of Team England President as we head towards Glasgow 2026.

As you can see, the Commonwealth Games mean so much to me and my career and now I am looking forward to giving back to the next generation of athletes.