A strong field featuring many of Great Britain’s Olympic and world champions is set to compete at the 2014 British Cycling National Track Championships which take place later this month.
The event, which takes place from 24-28 September at the National Cycling Centre in Manchester, will see Britain’s cycling stars go head-to-head for the honour of becoming national champion.
In the women’s endurance events Olympic champions Laura Trott, Joanna Rowsell and Dani King will be joined by world champions Elinor Barker and Katie Archibald, making for an intense and fascinating competition as five riders who are famous for their world domination in the team pursuit compete for individual glory.
In the sprint events British Olympian and double Commonwealth Games bronze medallist Jess Varnish will defend the four titles she took in emphatic style in 2013, facing competition from double junior world champion Dannielle Khan and UCI Track Cycling World Championships and world cup medallist Victoria Williamson.
In the men’s events, Olympic champion Jason Kenny will be the man to beat in the sprint competitions as he looks to repeat his triple title success of 2013.
He’ll be going up against his Commonwealth Games teammates Kian Emadi and Philip Hindes in the individual events but the three will combine in the team sprint as they attempt to defend the title they won last year.
In the endurance events Olympic champion Steven Burke and former world champion Andy Tennant will take on an emerging group of talented riders in the 100% ME team which comprises riders from the British Cycling Olympic Academy Programme. The team includes Jon Dibben, a UCI Track Cycling World Cup medallist and former junior European champion.
Looking forward to the championships, 2013 national champion Laura Trott said: “I love competing at the nationals because the atmosphere at the velodrome in Manchester is always incredible. The home crowd really gets behind you which really helps to lift your performance.
“I can’t wait to get on the boards to defend my titles this year - the competition will be tough, though, and I’ll be up against riders who are usually my teammates so it will be interesting to see who comes out on top. With so many young riders making their breakthrough at this competition in the past I’ll also have to keep an eye on the next generation as well!
“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.”
View the full list of athletes competing at the 2014 British Cycling National Track Championships
The event gives fans the chance to see some of the biggest names in the sport battle against each other for the coveted national champions’ jerseys as well as offering the first glimpse of the next generation of cycling talent rising through the British Cycling ranks.
Tickets are available for a selection of sessions across Friday 28 - Sunday 29 September via Ticketmaster. 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.
