Mark Cavendish will return to track for the first time since 2009 as he ramps up his pursuit of an Olympic medal after being named in the Great Britain squad for the final round of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Hong Kong.
Taking place from January 16-17, it is the last major event in the cycling calendar before the Track World Championships in London in March.
One of the most decorated road riders in the history of cycling, Cavendish’s last appearance for his country on the track came at the 2009 World Championships.
The 30-year-old has stated that his goal is to win an elusive Olympic medal at Rio 2016 and is counting down the hours until the meet in Hong Kong – where he heads up an otherwise youthful men’s endurance squad which includes senior academy riders Matt Gibson, Chris Latham, Oliver Wood and Germain Burton.
“It will be my first World Cup on the track for a lot of years I think so I’m looking forward to it,” Cavendish told British Cycling.
“I’m used to doing more events at a World Cup, the madison, the scratch, and now just doing the omnium is a little bit different from what I’m used to, but I’m super looking forward to it.”
Laura Trott, Elinor Barker, Ciara Horne and Joanna Rowsell Shand all return after missing the second round of the World Cup while senior academy rider Emily Nelson is also included.
Experienced sprint squads have been named as both the men and women continue to seek Olympic qualification points with Becky James, Katy Marchant, Jess Varnish, Jason Kenny, Philip Hindes, Callum Skinner and Matt Crampton heading to Hong Kong.
And Great Britain’s technical director Shane Sutton admits he is delighted to see Cavendish back in a velodrome.
“Having a rider of Mark Cavendish’s stature in the squad is a great boost for everyone,” said Sutton.
“What he has achieved throughout his career is phenomenal and the only thing he is missing is an Olympic medal. He is really hungry and selection for Hong Kong is the first step along the path to achieving his goal.
“It’s the first event of a vital year for the team and the squad we have selected reflects that.
“We still need Olympic qualification points, particularly in the sprint events, while it is also great to see a strong presence from our senior academy in the team once again.
“A lot of eyes will now be looking towards Rio but we also have the incentive of a home Track World Championships in London in two months’ time. Selection for that event is just around the corner so it’s important that the riders perform well in Hong Kong.”
Sportsbeat 2016