Five events. Five world titles. One personal best. One world record.
TORQ-fuelled Jan Birkmyre’s World Masters Track Championships brought exceptional performances, a breakthrough in self-belief and a particularly meaningful family connection.
London’s Olympic Velodrome, affectionately known as “The Pringle”, is a special place for Jan. With its smooth Siberian pine surface and sweeping 42-degree banking, it has been the setting for previous successes. This October, it provided the stage for another memorable chapter.
Moving into the 60–64 age category, Jan faced an international field featuring defending champions and world record holders, with riders from Australia, America, Costa Rica, Denmark and the UK. Across 5–11 October, she contested the Points Race, Individual Pursuit, 500m Time Trial, Scratch Race and Sprint.
It would demand speed, tactical judgement and the ability to recover and race again.
More Than Medals
This was Jan’s first major championship since losing her father earlier in the year. He had always been her biggest supporter, making her sister’s presence especially significant.
She had never watched Jan race before. On the opening day, she saw her win the Points Race. Later in the week, a business trip brought her back to London, allowing her to reach the velodrome just in time for the 500m Time Trial.
Jan won gold and set a new world record.
“Clearly, she is something of a lucky charm,” Jan reflected.
Finding Another Gear
Between those victories came the Individual Pursuit — the event that tested Jan’s belief most.
She qualified second fastest behind long-time rival Jayne Paine, who was riding close to her world-record pace. Facing such a strong opponent in a notoriously demanding event, Jan doubted she could win.
Her husband David helped her face the final. Jan calls him her “not-so-marginal gain”: the person who keeps her bikes perfectly prepared, encourages her through the hardest moments and helps her believe when doubts creep in.
With a TORQ gel with guarana on board, Jan lined up. Halfway through, David signalled that she was ahead.
That changed everything.
Jan found another gear, extending her advantage to 3.8 seconds at the finish. She recorded a personal best, finishing just outside the world record.
A Return Worth Waiting For
On day six, the Scratch Race delivered another close contest. Jan dug deep to hold off the defending Danish champion in the sprint for the line and claim gold.
Then came an unexpected finale.
Jan had not raced the Sprint for 15 years. She entered partly because leaving before the championships’ final day had become something she always regretted.
After qualifying second fastest behind the Danish world record holder and progressing through a tough opening match against Debbie Capewell, Jan reached the best-of-three final.
She won the first race from position one. The second presented a different challenge: she would have to get past her opponent rather than hold her off.
With clear tactics and the pleasure of simply being there, Jan executed the plan and secured the title.
Another national anthem followed, then a hurried pack-up and a journey home that ended close to midnight.
Throughout the week, TORQ energy drink, gels, bars, recovery products and Pre-Race Breakfasts supported Jan’s fuelling between five very different racing demands. Recovery Plus is also a key TORQ product for explosive disciplines like track cycling.
She returned home with five world titles, a world record and a personal best — and memories made with the people who helped her achieve them.
Congratulations, Jan, from everyone at TORQ.
