Being branded the “next Katie Archibald” is quite a weight to place upon one’s shoulders but it’s one that Erin Boothman carries surprisingly lightly.
Despite being still only 17 years old, Boothman has been widely touted as Scotland’s next big thing on two wheels.
It’s a label that’s well-deserved.
In the past 12 months, Boothman has picked up two world junior titles, a junior world record, European junior silver and bronze on the track and, just a few weeks ago, her first-ever Nations Cup victory on the road.
It’s been quite an ascent and it was, says Boothman, who hails from the south side of Glasgow, her world junior titles that planted the seed that maybe cycling could be more than just a hobby for her.
“A big moment for me was going to China for the World Junior Champs,” she says.
“Just making it into the team was a big thing so to then win was just amazing.
“That definitely changed my mindset - it made me think maybe cycling could be something serious rather than just being a bit of fun.”
Over the next three days, the British National Track Cycling Championships will take place in Manchester and Boothman will line up in the endurance events against not only Archibald, who she describes as her “idol” growing up, but also her compatriot and Olympic medallist, Neah Evans as well as GB regulars, Anna Morris, Josie Knight, Jess Roberts and Meg Barker.
Despite still being a junior, this will be Boothman’s second tilt at the senior Nationals and being a year older, and the experience she’s gained during this time, has, she believes, made a world of difference to how she will approach this weekend’s racing.
“It’s a stronger field this year compared to last year but I'm excited to get stuck in - I’m riding the scratch and the points race and they're events in which sometimes you can find a result coming your way so we'll see,” the teenager says.
“At the moment, the senior riders are much further ahead than me in terms of experience and when I raced them last year, my coach said he could tell I was riding as if they were much better than me.
“But I do feel like the gap is closing and now, I'm racing as if they're just other competitors.
“They’re still better than me but now I feel confident riding with them and competing against them which is why I think this weekend will be good this year because I'm going into it with a completely different mindset in comparison to last year.”
Having begun her cycling career in the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome in Glasgow, Boothman has been part of British Cycling’s development programme for several years now.
She remains based in Glasgow to finish her sixth year at Williamwood High School but regular jaunts to British Cycling’s headquarters in Manchester have exposed her to riders such as Archibald and Evans, who have established themselves as two of the best in the world.
Such company would be daunting for many a teenager and while Boothman admits to being somewhat starstruck in the early days, she now uses her close contact with these world and Olympic medallists to her advantage.
“When I was first around these really successful riders I was like ‘oh my God!’,” she says.
“But now, I’m much more comfortable around them.
“You can literally ask these guys anything and you pick things up that they do. And everyone's so friendly.
“It's not an easy environment to be in for training but it's really good.”
Boothman’s focus over the next three days may be on the track but she’s quick to stress that she’s far from a track specialist.
Indeed, her victory last weekend at the UCI Nations Cup in Andalusia was a clear reminder as to why her long-term ambitions include both the road and the track.
“This year I'd like to do a full road season and also do the track,” she says.
“The Commonwealth Games next year is a big goal - I'll need to get in the team first which won't be easy but I’d love to be there.
“And then the Olympics. LA in 2028 is quite soon so who knows with that but I would definitely be looking at the 2032 Olympics and I'd potentially hope to do both road and track in 2032. That's what I'd be gunning for.”
There will be several Scots in the running for national titles over the weekend alongside Boothman, with the aforementioned Archibald and Evans in the endurance events, as are Jenny Holl and Kate Richardson while on the men’s side, recent European medallist Michael Gill will be aiming to continue his good form.
In the sprints, Lauran Bell, Kirsty Johnson and Lyall Craig are all worth watching out for and in the para-events, Fin Graham is looking to add yet more British titles to his tally.
