Reaction from the parents of Ed Lowe after the Stamford cyclist won a silver medal at the Paris Olympics
The proud parents of Olympic silver medal winning cyclist Ed Lowe were left with a mixture of elation and relief after their son's success in Paris on Tuesday night.
His parents, David and Hilary, were at the Velodrome de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines to witness their son's momentous achievement.
Ed was the youngest of the three-strong team and produced another consistent display in the opening leg of the team event.
David explained: "We are just so thankful that nerves did not get the better of his young age and inexperience.
"We are so pleased that he delivered so consistently and went faster in every round.
"He was crucial to the team in getting them off the line fast, accelerating up to speed and most importantly in delivering them as fast as possible at the handover.
"The team was awesome. They were so polished, professional and they all worked their team plan precisely.
"Overall it was elation mixed with relief."
Lowe progressed through the Team GB development programme after spending his formative years with both Bourne Wheelers and the Helpston-based Fenland Clarion club.
He has been coached by Olympic gold medal winner Jason Kenny and the team's exploits in Paris saw them break a national record.
Ed has only been track riding for six years and was only brought into the Team GB squad in October of last year.
Dad David added: "The training and preparations have been very intense.
"The training was very nearly too much for him at times, but he was very lucky to get selected as one of his older and more experienced team-mates got three injuries.
"We are so thankful to Jason Kenny for putting his trust and faith into Ed and also for his team-mates for helping and supporting him."
Lowe is the second Stamford athlete to compete at a Paris Olympics after Lord David Burghley first raced in the 110m hurdles in 1924.