Great Britain Cycling Team technical director Shane Sutton believes the presence of Sir Bradley Wiggins can provide a useful boost to the team for this month’s European Track Cycling Championships.
The four-time Olympic champion is one of 20 riders named in the team for the Championships in Grenchen, Switzerland from October 14-18.
Having won his most recent Olympic title on the road in the time trial at London 2012, Wiggins is now switching his attention to the track as he bids to make the team for Rio 2016.
He is one of a number of multiple title winners in the squad with seven-time European champion Laura Trott also included.
However, Ed Clancy misses the championship through injury while Becky James is rested as she continues her comeback following a long-term knee injury.
And with the Championships providing a chance to accrue vital qualifying points for Rio 2016, Sutton was looking forward to seeing his riders transfer their domestic form onto the European stage.
“We saw some really promising performances at the British Cycling National Track Championships and the Europeans provide a good chance to put the talent out there and pit themselves against the best in the world,” he said.
“Having Bradley Wiggins there for the whole squad is a plus. If you want to go into big battles, you need big leaders and Brad is a big leader. He’s won the Tour, he’s won everything in cycling so it’s good for the squad he is going.”
Sportsbeat 2015