Wiggins and Millar head-to-head at Manchester Velodrome?

By Gerry McManus

A men's individual pursuit final between David Millar (Saunier Duval-Prodir) and Bradley Wiggins (Cofidis) could be one of the headline events at this year's British track championships with both riders entering the 4,000 metre test. It will be the second time that the British duo will have competed against the clock in two weeks following their selection for the World Championships Time Trial in Stuttgart, Germany this Thursday. Paul Manning (Landbouwkrediet-Colnago) has also entered the pursuit event and is on form after he won the final stage of the Tour of Britain in Glasgow this month.

Cycle fans can see the all the top British stars in track action as they take to the boards for five days from October 2-6. Triple world gold medallist sprinter Victoria Pendleton and double world champion Chris Hoy are another two athletes with world class credentials competing for the British titles.

The newly resurfaced track at the Manchester Velodrome will see its first top class competitive action when the event starts on October 2. It will be a good run out for the Manchester track ahead of the UCI World Track Cycling Championships at the velodrome from March 26-30, 2008.

Pendleton rides in the women's 500 metre time trial on day one. The 26 year-old from Hertfordshire will be chasing her own British record of 34.614 seconds and the new surface could be a deciding factor if she decides to attempt the world record of 33.588 set by Australian Anna Meares earlier this year. The women's individual pursuit will also be a top clash involving world class riders Wendy Houvenaghel and Rebecca Romero over 3,000 metres. Romero took silver behind America's Sarah Hammer at the Palma world championships and Houvenaghel finished fourth.

Hoy has entered the men's sprint and Keirin in the championships that effectively kick off the winter track season. The Scottish rider will have his work cut out for him with Craig MacLean (Plowman Craven - Evans Cycles), Matt Crampton, Jason Kenny, Jamie Staff, Jason Queally and Ross Edgar also entering the short distance events.

The championships are being held at the Manchester Velodrome in SportCity situated in the Eastlands area of the city.