Laura Kenny

It was England's first cycling gold of the Birmingham Games, and Kenny's first Commonwealth title since 2014. Her victory comes months after she suffered a miscarriage, followed by an ectopic pregnancy, after which she considered quitting the sport.

Born in Harlow, Laura Kenny began cycling when her mother decided to take up the sport to lose weight and went on to be the first female athlete in history to win five Olympic gold medals for Team GB as well as the first British woman to win gold at three consecutive Olympic Games. Kenny is now the most decorated female athlete in Team GB history, a title she shares with equestrian's Charlotte Dujardin.

The Essex cyclist’s first Olympic Games, London 2012, saw her win gold in the omnium and team pursuit with partners Joanna Rowsell Shand and Dani Rowe. Kenny has also had success outside of the Olympics, winning world gold in the team pursuit in four consecutive years between 2011 and 2014, as well as gold in the omnium in 2012 in Melbourne. At the Rio 2016 Olympic Games, she earned two more golds, defending her team pursuit and omnium crowns, before marrying fellow track cyclist Jason Kenny.

Kenny's special place in the hearts of the nation was reinforced at the 2018 European Championships. Revealing she spent several sleepless nights in Glasgow looking after baby son Albert, the track phenomenon still managed to secure double gold in the team pursuit and elimination race.