British Cycling has today announced the team of 19 riders who will travel to Pruszków in Poland to compete in the UCI Track Cycling World Championships, taking place on 25– 29 March 2009.
Eight Beijing Olympic medallists will once again be donning the Great Britain colours, with Gold medallists Victoria Pendleton, Jamie Staff, Jason Kenny and Ed Clancy included in the line-up. Pendleton will be looking to continue her success on the World stage having won two World Champion titles in 2008.
British Cycling’s performance director, Dave Brailsford, is pleased with the selection: “This has been a winter of experimentation and innovation for the team and our selection of riders reflects that. We have a great mix of youth and experience and see Poland as our first step on the road to London 2012. Given the abundance of talent in our Academy Programme, this year’s World Championships presents the perfect opportunity for us to give them the chance to experience competition at world level and perform on the biggest stage alongside some of our current Olympic and World Champions.”
Commenting on Chris Hoy’s forced withdrawal from the competition following injury, British Cycling’s track performance manager, Heiko Salzwedel, said: “It’s very unfortunate that Chris Hoy cannot participate as he was very motivated to show his outstanding capabilities following the increase in public interest. But now, this opens up the opportunity for younger riders to show their potential.”
GB SQUAD FOR UCI TRACK WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS – PRUSZKÓW, POLAND
Men’s Sprint:
Ross Edgar
Jamie Staff
Matthew Crampton
Jason Kenny
David Daniell
Men’s Endurance:
Chris Newton
Mark Cavendish
Ed Clancy
Steven Burke
Peter Kennaugh
Jonathan Bellis
Women’s Sprint:
Victoria Pendleton
Anna Blyth
Shanaze Reade
Jess Varnish
Women’s Endurance:
Wendy Houvenaghel
Lizzie Armitstead
Joanna Rowsell
Katie Colclough