Silver medalist Nicole Shields, of Clyde, is taking time to reflect following her team’s success at the velodrome during the Olympics in Paris.

Nicole claimed silver in the women’s pursuit cycling final, alongside Ally Wollaston, Bryony Botha and Emily Shearman.

They were beaten by the United States by 0.621 seconds in the 4000m final. 

“I think we had some pretty big expectations going into the race,” Nicole said.

“We were second at worlds last year and ranked number one going in and obviously had a really good qualifying ride and I think we were all so proud of that. It was everything that we knew we could do, and the track was pretty fast. We had one of those perfect races and we were all so proud of that.”

However, she said they went into the race knowing the Americans were “a phenomenal team”.

“But we knew our strengths and we laid it all out there in the final. I think a lot of people think we started slow, or something went wrong, but to be fair it went to plan. It was everything we had left really.

“When you lay it all out there and that’s what you get, second in the world is pretty cool.”

She acknowledged the support her team had received leading up to the Olympics.

“I think we are all so proud of how we raced and our preparations and everything. It was an amazing team to be a part of. Both our team and the wider Cycling NZ we have amazing staff and amazing riders, and it just made everything a really cool experience.”

Nicole is unsure what she plans to do next.

“It’s been a pretty bumpy few years and I feel like I’ve just kind of [got] my feet back under me, so I’m just taking some time and not putting too much pressure on myself in regards to that. I definitely still love riding my bike, so we’ll just see where that takes me.”

Nicole has yet to return to New Zealand, but she knows when she does it will be a special occasion.

“I’m very much looking forward to getting back to New Zealand. It’s been a long few months where I’ve been overseas since the beginning of June, so I'm very much looking forward to coming back, and coming back to Central as well, and just being able to share that with people who have helped me,” she said.

“I think that’s probably the most special thing about the Olympics, is it’s a race that everyone feels they have a part in. It’s really nice to be able to give back to the community and my family and everyone who has been on this journey with me, so I feel like it’s theirs too and it’s amazing to be able to share that with them.”