“They have set this precedent that British Cycling is one of the best teams in the world.
“Sometimes you can find yourselves thinking: ‘How did we end up being these people?’
“You’ve had Laura Kenny and Elinor Barker and Joanna Rowsell setting such a standard for us that we want to keep that going.”
Kenny won five Olympic and seven World Championship gold medals while Barker won Rio Olympic gold to go with seven world titles. Rowsell is a double Olympic and five-time world champion.
“People look at us as the best, whether or not we are,” added Knight. “So we just have to take confidence from that and know that as much as we’re looking at other nations, they’re all looking at us.
“Nine times out of 10 we can do it, so we’ve got hope.
“I don’t want to jinx anything but it would be really nice to win it three times in a row, that would be something special.”
Roberts was part of the 2024 team and says the competition will be tough in Santiago.
“Everyone is so strong, I guess we’re thinking about other teams as well,” said Roberts, one of three Welsh riders in the sextet along with Morris and Barker.
“The strength in women’s cycling now is really high, you’ve all just got to bring your A-game really.”
With the addition of 22-year-old Leech, the make-up of the four riding in the team could look different again, but it is a challenge the squad are relishing.
“I think with the programme we have here at British Cycling, with the podium potential and the younger riders and the people in charge of coaching them, you know that whenever a younger one comes up they know what they’re doing, they’ve done it,” said Knight.
“They may have done it at a slower speed but you can instantly have that trust in them, so it’s never a trust thing.
“It’s just learning how someone does ride, it comes with it’s challenges but it’s part of the event and the beauty of team pursuit.”
As well as the team pursuit, all the riders in the women’s endurance team will also compete in individual events.
Knight will be seeking glory in the individual pursuit but will face stiff competition from fellow GB team member Morris, who has set two world records in the event this year.
Roberts will be looking to go one better from the silver she won in the omnium last year.
