Former Tour de France winner Sir Bradley Wiggins and British cycling’s golden couple Jason Kenny and Laura Trott will all wow Manchester velodrome audiences at the national track championships later this month.
Wiggins will compete against teammate Andy Tennant in the men’s individual pursuit while Tennant’s fellow team pursuit world championships silver medallists earlier this year Ed Clancy, Steven Burke and Owain Doull will give their compatriot a stern test in the other men’s endurance events.
The September 25-27 event will be the final national championships ahead of next year’s Rio Olympics and Jess Varnish is determined to defend four titles for the second year in succession.
“I’ve always loved competing at the nationals. The crowd really get behind you and the atmosphere at the velodrome in Manchester is always incredible, which really lifts your performance,” said the 24-year-old.
“I can’t wait to get on the boards to defend my titles this year but I’m expecting some tough competition from my teammates. It’s great to see Becky James back on the track again while Katy Marchant is also in great form at the moment.
“It’s a great feeling to stand on the top of the podium as national champion so I really hope to be up there again this year.”
In the women’s endurance events, Olympic champions Trott and Joanna Rowsell Shand will be joined by their Great Britain team pursuit teammates Elinor Barker, Katie Archibald and Ciara Horne as well as multiple Paralympic champion Dame Sarah Storey.
In the men’s sprint events, Callum Skinner will defend the three individual sprint titles he won in 2014 but will face stiff competition from Olympic sprint champion and Trott’s fiancée Kenny as well as Olympic team sprint champion Phillip Hindes if he is to repeat his performance of 12 months ago.
The para-cycling events will feature Paralympic champion Jody Cundy and world champions Sophie Thornhill and Helen Scott (pilot) and Neil Fachie with pilot Craig McLean.
The full list of athletes competing can be found on the British Cycling website here while 22 gold medals will be awarded over six packed sessions. You can read the full racing schedule here.
Tickets for the event are available via www.ticketmaster.co.uk/britishcycling There are two price bands, allowing spectators to choose between a premium finish line view and value for money seat. Families and under 16s can enjoy a discount on the standard admission price.
British Cycling members can save an exclusive 25% off ticket prices until 11:59pm on Tuesday evening.
Further information can be found on the event website www.nationaltrackchamps.co.uk
