Track World Championships, The Great Britain track cycling team, led by four-time Olympic and ten-time world champion Sir Chris Hoy, have arrived in Melbourne for the 2012 UCI Track Cycling World Championships which start next week. The final event in the lead up to the London Olympics Games has enticed one of the strongest fields ever assembled for a world championships, with not just rainbow jerseys on offer, but also spots at the Games in July.
343 riders from 45 nations arrive this week with official training commencing at Hisense Arena this Thursday before the opening day of the titles on Wednesday 4th April. The Championships conclude on Sunday 8th April with racing every afternoon and evening, including Good Friday.
Diary Note – Great Britain media opportunities
Who: British track cycling team
When: TOMORROW – Tuesday, 27th March
Training session from 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Endurance squad, including teams pursuit team.
Wednesday, 28th March
Training session from 1:30pm – 4:30pm: Sprint and endurance squads.
Venue: Darebin International Sports Centre (DISC),
John Cain Memorial Park in Darebin Road, Thornbury
Media wishing to attend Great Britain training over the next two days should advise Taryn Kirby attaryn@jumpmedia.com.au or on 0433 665 055.
Best endeavours will be made for individual media requests for the British team however are not guaranteed. Requests should also be made to Taryn on the details above.
Diary Note – Australian Cyclones media opportunities
Who: The Australian team arrives in Melbourne on Thursday and a series of media opportunities with key riders including Anna Meares, Shane Perkins, Jack Bobridge, the men’s and women’s team pursuit squads, will be available each day in the lead up to the Championships.
Date: From Thursday 29th March
Time: TBA
Venue: Hisense Arena, Olympic Boulevard, Melbourne (unless advised otherwise)
Given the reduced rider numbers and Olympic events on offer in London compared to Beijing four years ago, in many cases the fields in Melbourne will be stronger than at the Games, and in events like the sprint and keirin, performances here will finalise Olympic teams for many nations.
Hoy leads a full strength British squad that dominated the final round of the UCI Track World Cup in London last month. The team includes Olympic and eight-time world champion Victoria Pendleton and fellow Olympic champions Jason Kenny (team sprint – 2008), Ed Clancy and Geraint Thomas (teams pursuit – 2008). (GB team announcement is available here)
After topping the medal tally at the world championships last year in the Netherlands and dominating at the Commonwealth Games in Delhi, the Australian Cyclones, will be led by reigning world champion Anna Meares (sprint, team sprint and keirin), Shane Perkins (keirin), and the men’s endurance squad that includes individual pursuit champion Jack Bobridge, Cameron Meyer, Leigh Howard and the men’s team pursuit will be looking to withhold the international invasion and impress on home soil. (Australian team announcement is available here)
For more information on the 2012 UCI Track Cycling World Championships, visit www.2012trackworlds.com.au
UCI Track Cycling World Championships – Fast Facts
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