British Cycling have announced the riders who will compete at the opening two rounds of the UCI Mountain Bike Cross-Country World Cup.

British champion Grant Ferguson and Alice Barnes will ride for their trade team BETCH.nl Superior Brentjens Racing, while Annie Last, Iain Paton and Mike Thompson represent the Great Britain Cycling Team.

The five riders travel to the opening round in Nove Mesto Na Morave, Czech Republic which takes place on 23-24 May, with round two of the series one week later in Albstadt, Germany.

The UCI Mountain Bike World Cup is a six race series, which visits Europe, America and Canada. Riders score points at each round which count toward an overall end of season world cup ranking, as well as Olympic qualification.

Riders selected

Annie Last (elite women) - Great Britain Cycling Team
Grant Ferguson (under-23 men) - BETCH.nl Superior Brentjens Racing
Iain Paton (under-23 men) - Great Britain Cycling Team
Mike Thompson (under-23 men) - Great Britain Cycling Team
Alice Barnes (under-23 women) - BETCH.nl Superior Brentjens Racing