A star-studded line up of over 140 riders will take to the track at the world-famous Manchester Velodrome for the 2007 National Track Cycling Championships, which run from October 2-6th.
Manchester Velodrome has twice hosted the World Track Championships (1996 & 2000) and after a complete re-laying of the Track surface in the spring, the venue is now building up to hosting the World Championships again next year on March 26th to 30th. October's National Championships mark the start of the winter season for many of the leading riders: a season in which they will be building up to the World Championships and then the 2008 Olympic Games in Beijing.
Of course British riders are now amongst the leading exponents of Track racing in the world. At this year's World Championships, held in Majorca, the team came away with an unprecedented 7 gold medals and completely dominated the medal table. Many of the riders who contributed to that outstanding team performance will be in competition during the National Track Championships as they set off on the long road to Beijing.
SPRINT EVENTS
Leading the line up of stars is triple world champion Victoria Pendleton, who will be competing in two of her world title disciplines, the Sprint and Keirin. She will also be having a run out in the 500m time trial. She will be a huge favourite for all three. The one rider who looks capable of unsettling Pendleton in the sprint events is Anna Blyth, a recent world champion at Junior level, who made a very promising debut at the 2007 senior world championships.
DISTANCE/ENDURANCE EVENTS
The Women's distance events are perhaps the hardest of all to read, with many young riders bursting through onto the scene at the moment. The Points Race and Scratch Race should suit the burgeoning talents of 18 year old Lizzy Armistead, who has been all-but unbeatable on the Road in the UK this season. However, she will face tough opposition from another 18 year old, Wales' Katie Curtis, who made an impressive debut at the Track World Championships this year.
Sixteen year old Hannah Mayho and seventeen year old Emma Trott have also both had big wins against senior opposition this year. Of the more experienced riders, Scotland's Kate Cullen has a great record and has represented her county at the highest levels, whilst veteran Janet Birkmyre probably racks up more Track wins per season than any other rider in the field.
The Women's 3000m Individual Pursuit is altogether easier to call, with GB stars Rebecca Romero - a former Olympic medal winning rower - and Wendy Houvenhagel in a class of their own. Wendy just missed out on a medal at the World Championships, but Rebecca stunned everyone by smashing the national record and claiming a silver medal. Wendy recently turned the tables, beating Rebecca in the National Time Trial Championships. Both riders should go comfortably under 3 minutes 40 seconds and the winner will be looking to take a psychological advantage into the winter's international season. Also worthy on note in the Pursuit is Paralympic athlete Sarah Bailey, who will expect to be in the scrap for bronze.
So there you have it: without a doubt the greatest assembly of Track racing talent ever seen for the National Championships. With numerous World, Commonwealth and Olympic Champions on display, all eager to make an impact as the pre-Olympic season of World Cups are just around the corner, the racing promises to be something special.
TICKETS
Tickets for this event cost £5 per day (covering the morning and evening sessions) or a 5-day event ticket can be purchased for the reduced price of £20. Under 16s enter free if accompanied by a paying adult, and group bookings of 10 or more qualify for 2 free tickets per group.
Tickets are available from Ticketmaster - to order your tickets, either book on line at www.ticketmaster.co.uk or call 0844 847 1628 (24 hours), or in person at Ticketmaster ticket centres. For group bookings please contact 0844 844 2121. Tickets are also available through www.britishcycling.org.uk and in person at the Manchester Velodrome Reception.
