A double Olympic gold medallist in the Team Pursuit, five-time world champion and former world record holder, Rowsell (pictured) is now a commentator and is training to be a doctor. 

The 37-year-old (pictured racing at Glasgow 2014) is finely tuned in to the subtleties of Commonwealth Games action.

“It’s unique, because we’ve got that longstanding rivalry between GB and Australia, and New Zealand are also strong,” she said.

“The Aussies love the Commonwealth Games, they take it super seriously, like the Olympics.

“But Team GB is obviously split up. It creates an interesting dynamic. For England, Scotland and Wales, it brings out our strength in depth.

“You’ll have nine athletes in a quota instead of three, riders who wouldn’t be able to compete at a world championships because of quotas. 

“It’s familiar, they’re people you compete against at nationals or in training, but it’s nice to put on different jerseys.

"You find out that some of them have an extra gear on race day. But you know your (close) rivals better than the other nations."

Sophie Thornhill of England and pilot Helen Scott and Jessica Gallagher of Australia and pilot Madison Janssen compete in the Women's B&VI Sprint Gold Final during the Cycling on day one of the Gold Coast 2018

Photography Dan Mullan/Getty Images

'Huge news in Track Cycling'

Rowsell, who will be covering the action at the velodrome live on TNT Sports, picked out key battles between England, Wales and Australia as particularly worthy of attention.

“England v Wales is going to be really interesting," she said. "You’ve got Josie Knight for England against Anna Morris for Wales. They’re both at the highest level. For both countries, lots of up-and-coming riders will be getting opportunities.

Kent-born Matt Richardson was due to compete for England for the first time, having represented Australia at Paris 2024, but sustained an injury and has been replaced by Harry Radford.

Whatever happens, expect the atmosphere in the Glasgow International Arena to be rocking.

“They really know their stuff, the crowd at the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome," Rowsell said. "It’s a very cycling-friendly city.”

Elsewhere in the field, New Zealand's Ellesse Andrews, who won the Women's Sprint, Team Sprint and Keirin at Birmingham 2022, should star, alongside fellow Paris 2024 podium finisher and Commonwealth champion Bryony Botha (NZL).

Notable England riders include Olympic Team Sprint champion duo Sophie Capewell and Katy Marchant, as well as world championship silver medallist Rhianna Parris-Smith. 

Two-time world champion Neah Evans spearheads the Scottish cohort, with Lauren Bell, Mark Stewart, four-time world junior champion Erin Boothman and European title holder Kate Richardson also competing.

There is also discipline-switcher Michael Gill, a former age-group world champion in Acrobatic Gymnastics turned two-time European-medal-winning cyclist.

Track Cycling made its debut at the second edition of the Games, in 1934, and has been ever present since. 

Australia tops the all-time medal table across Cycling disciplines at the Commonwealth Games.

Track Cycling, presented by EDF Energy, gets under way at Glasgow International Arena on Thursday 30 July.

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