“They have set the precedent that British cycling is one of the best teams in the world.
“Sometimes you find yourself thinking, ‘How did we end up being these people?’
“We’ve had Laura Kenny, Elinor Barker and Joanna Rowsell setting such a standard for us that we want to keep it that way.”
Kenny won five Olympic and seven world championship gold medals, while Barker won Olympic gold in Rio, as well as seven world titles. Rowsell is a two-time Olympic and five-time world champion.
“People see us as the best, whether we are or not,” Knight added. “So we have to trust that and know that as much as we look at other nations, they all look at us.
“Nine times out of 10 we can do it, so we have hope.
“I don’t want to curse anything, but it would be very nice to win it three times in a row, it would be something special.”
Roberts was part of the 2024 team and says the competition will be tough in Santiago.
“They’re all so strong I guess we’re thinking about other teams too,” said Roberts, one of three Welsh riders in the sextet along with Morris and Barker.
“The strength in women’s cycling now is really high, everyone has to give their best level.”
With the addition of 22-year-old Leech, the team’s four-piece makeup may look different again, but it’s a challenge the team is relishing.
“I think with the program we have here at British Cycling, with the podium potential and the younger riders and the people in charge of training them, you know that every time a young person comes along they know what they are doing, they have done it,” Knight said.
“They may have done it at a slower speed, but you can instantly trust them, so it’s never a trust thing.
“It’s just learning how someone rides, it comes with its challenges, but it’s part of the event and the beauty of team pursuit.”
In addition to the team pursuit, all the runners on the women’s endurance team will also compete in individual events.
Knight will be aiming for glory in the individual pursuit, but will face stiff competition from Team GB member Morris, who has set two world records in the event this year.
Roberts will look to improve on the silver he won in the omnium last year.