A DARESBURY-based key figure in Team GB’s London 2012 cycling success is toasting the country’s latest golds at the Rio Olympics.

Michael Norris worked as a mechanical services manager with Team GB’s cycling in the three-and-a-half years leading up to the 2012 London Olympics.

Team GB won eight golds, two silvers and two bronzes in cycling in 2012, with Michael working alongside stars like Jason Kenny as part of their Secret Squirrel Club.

Rio brought six golds, four silvers and one bronze for the cycling team, and Michael has continued toasted their success.

He said: “The experience and knowledge I gained whilst working with Team GB has followed me throughout my career.

“The performance of the cycling team this year has been astronomical and not one members of the team will be leaving Rio without a medal.

“Team GB have demonstrated great strength, tenacity and determination during this year’s Olympics and notably have shown immense gratitude for the support system that exists behind every high achiever.”

Michael, a keen cyclist himself, is now head of business incubation at the Science and Technology Facilities Council at Sci-Tech Daresbury.

He added: “What we must remember is that these people are just ordinary people who happen to be very good at what they do.

“It’s the passion they convey and support they receive which takes their athletic performance to the next level and I’ve found that exactly the same is true in the world of high-tech start-ups.

“Like athletes it’s key that start-up businesses have a support mechanism to help map out the route to success.

“We want to help people turn brilliant ideas into booming businesses by overcoming any initial hurdles they may encounter and helping them to become commercially savvy.”