British cyclists prepare for the gold rush

Thursday, August 14: It's been a fairly barren couple of days for Team GB, but things should hot up when the action begins in the velodrome tomorrow and Britain's all-conquering track cycling team get on their bikes.

After dominating the World Championships in Manchester back in March, where they claimed nine gold medals out of 18, experts are predicting the Great Britain team will manage between six and eight golds, plus assorted medals of other hues.

The road riders have got the ball rolling. Nicole Cooke secured Team GB's first medal of the games by winning the women's road race and Emma Pooley grabbed second in the women's time trial. But it is in the velodrome where things should really start to hot up.

The British team is studded with potential gold medallists. The stars of the mens team include Bradley Wiggins (right), who won three golds at the world championships, competes in the individual pursuit, team pursuit and the madison. His partner in the madison is Mark Cavendish, who became the first Briton to win four stages of a Tour de France this year. Chris Hoy, a gold medallist at Athens, goes in the sprint, team sprint and keirin.

Those are the heavyweights of the team, but the likes of Ross Edgar, Geraint Thomas and Jamie Staff will complement the big names without dominating the headlines.

Great things are also expected from Rebecca Romero, who turned to cycling after winning a rowing silver at Athens. She rides in the women's points race and individual pursuit. Glamour girl Victoria Pendleton, who won two golds in Manchester, is tipped for glory in the women's sprint. Wendy Houvenaghel also has a medal chance in the pursuit.

Beyond the velodrome the gold rush is expected to continue. There is no bigger favourite at the Games than Shanaze Reade, part of the victorious womens sprint team in Manchester, who has returned to her first passion, BMX, and is expected to win by some distance.

FIRST POSTED AUGUST 14, 2008