With the road season drawing to a close young British riders Mark Cavendish and Geraint Thomas will be reflecting on an impressive first year in the pro ranks.
Both riders made their debut at the Tour de France with Thomas battling his way to the Champs-Elysées despite being the youngest rider in the race. Cavendish's Tour didn't go to plan but the Manx rider has plenty to smile about finishing an awesome season with 11 professional victories making him one of the hottest sprint talents in the Pro Peloton.
The British duo will have little time to celebrate though as they will be heading straight into the track season with an important winter ahead acting as crucial preparation for the Beijing Olympics next year.
Their first outing at Revolution on October 20th will provide them with plenty of action to loosen the track legs with Thomas already eager to get back in front of the home crowds at the Manchester Velodrome,
“It's going to be good to get back to the track. After a long season on the road, I am looking forward to a change and after three weeks off racing I want to come back with a bang.”
“It's always good to race in the UK and Revolution is great racing” he continued. “It's definitely one of my favourite events in the track calendar. I've been there since the beginning and love the atmosphere with the packed crowds, music and fast race programme.”
“It's going to be an important season and my main focus will be the Team Pursuit. Revolution will be a good workout before training in Australia and then on to the first big challenge in the Team Pursuit at the Beijing World Cup.”
Cavendish is also set for an intense track season and will be using Revolution to help him prepare for the Ghent Six,
“I'll be riding with Bradley (Wiggins) in Ghent so I'm going to get straight into the track season” he said. “The Revolution is always a great night of racing and a good way to get the track speed in your legs. I'll definitely be looking to bring my sprint form into play on the track and take more wins over the winter.”
The T-Mobile pro will certainly be the man to beat but Thomas knows him well and is relishing a bit of competition,
“Cav and me? We're good mates, he's been out in Italy with me quite a lot over the summer but I haven't seen him since the Tour of Britain. We're competitive but in a good way… yeah I can beat him, I know his weaknesses.”
There'll be women's endurance racing at the event too, more news on that soon...
Tickets for Revolution on October 20th are on sale at www.cyclingrevolution.com or by calling 07005 942 579 or 0161 223 2244.
