TRACK WORLDS PREVIEW: FRIDAY
| POINTS RACE |
Gold Joan Llaneras (Spain)
Silver Iljo Keisse (Belgium)
Bronze Mikhail Ignatiev (Russia)
The Brits Chris Newton (did not qualify for the final)
The British challenge
Mark Cavendish
The Inside Line
The Isle of Man sprinter is the logical replacement for Chris Newton, who was ruled out when he crashed in training and broke his collarbone. Were Cavendish to win the world title, it would create something of a selection dilemma ahead of the Olympics with both him and Newton eligible for the points race but only one place on offer.
Verdict
Cavendish has all the attributes of a world-class points racer. Speed, endurance and a wicked sprint as well as a developing tactical eye.
Britain's chance of gold ••
Cavendish on the track. A fearsome sprint, daredevil bike-handling and a smart tactical sense equals a points race rider in the making
| SPRINT |
Gold Theo Bos (Netherlands)
Silver Gregory Bauge (France)
Bronze Mickael Bourgain (France)
The Brits Craig MacLean (4th), Ross Edgar (8th), Matt Crampton (19th)
The British challenge
Chris Hoy, Ross Edgar, Jason Kenny
The Inside Line
With three places available, the British challenge is a strong one. Hoy should medal, it's just a question of which colour. Edgar could create a stir too and is an outside medal hope. As for Kenny it's a case of having nothing to lose. He can give it everything and see where it gets him.
Verdict
It'll be fascinating to see whether the fact the sprint competition takes place earlier in the week than it does at the World Cups helps Chris Hoy. Often by the final day of a World Cup, Hoy – one of the hardest-racing riders in the world – is starting to tire after a busy team sprint and Keirin campaign.
Britain's chance of gold •••
Deep breath: Hoy could win the sprint
| TEAM PURSUIT |
Not held. This is the first year the women's team pursuit has been part of a World Championship programme. It'll be contested by teams of three over 3,000 metres.
The British challenge
Wendy Houvenaghel, Rebecca Romero, Jo Rowsell
The Inside Line
This is the first time the World Championships has seen the 3,000-metre women's team pursuit. The likely trio is Houvenaghel, Romero and Rowsell, who apparently has taken to the team pursuit like a duck to water. Lizzie Armitstead is another option.
Verdict
In this seasons World Cups Russia, Ukraine (twice) and Germany have won the respective rounds. But Britain are confident they can transfer some excellent times in training to the competitive arena. Holland will be another nation to watch but as a British Cycling insider said: “We know what the rest of the world can do, and we know what we can do, so we're confident.”
Britain's chance of gold •••
Houvenaghel is a key component of the new women's team pursuit squad, which will be seen in public for the first time in Manchester
| DAY-BY-DAY PREVIEW |
CW's Worlds preview: main page
Wednesday
Wiggins goes for gold in the pursuit plus the men's team sprinters take on the French
Day 1 preview
Thursday
Team pursuiters hot favourites, Romero bids to improve on silver, Pendleton and Reade defend their title
Day 2 preview
Saturday
Can Brits surf the wave of Madison mayhem? Hoy hits the Keirin, will Pendleton reach sprint final?
Day 4 preview
Sunday
Burke goes in the Omnium, Crampton in the kilo, Armitstead in the scratch race as Brits blood youngsters
Day 5 preview
