Team Sky will be racing to regain the Championship lead at Revolution 31 on Saturday (December 11) and will be looking to Russell Downing, Pete Kennaugh and Ross Edgar to score some crucial Championship points.
With Geraint Thomas and several of the other Team Sky riders on an early training camp it will be down to Kennaugh and Downing to take on the continental stars in the endurance racing. It will be the first appearance for Downing, who is expecting a tough night at the office.
"I've been training pretty well on the turbo over the last few weeks," Downing commented. "The track is a different ball game and the caliber of racing at Revolution is always top class. It will be a tough night of racing but I'll do my best to score some points for the team."
The endurance riders will be put to the test with a series of new races including a Team Elimination, Team Points Race and an Australian Pursuit.
"We've put a twist on several of the races to test the endurance riders and make the racing even more exciting," commented Revolution Promoter James Pope. "The Australian Pursuit will see eight riders pursuit on the track at the same time. If a rider is caught they are eliminated and the winner is the first to cover the 3km distance."
The pursuit will feature all the main continental stars including Iljo Keisse, Franco Marvulli, Leif Lampater, Jens Eric Madsen and Claudio Imhof.
In the sprint racing Dutch trio of Teun Mulder, Roy van den Berg and Hugo Haak will take on top British riders including Craig MacLean, Dave Daniell and Team Sky's Ross Edgar. Olympic Silver medalist Edgar is coming off the back of an intense training period so is looking forward to getting amongst the competition.
"Revolution will provide a good opportunity to break up the training with competition which is good for motivation and to give a tactical refresh," said Edgar. "I'm currently in the middle of a gym training block which is going really well. My strength is good so I'll probably be pretty fast over the first 60m but after that, who knows!"
"All competition is important," he continued. "Everything is being scrutinised in the build up to 2012 so the racing will be full on at events like Revolution. Mulder will be on good form off the back of the first World Cup so it will be a good test."
Edgar will also be looking to use the next two Revolution events to fine tune his form as he fights for a spot in the British Team Sprint squad.
"I'm targeting the Team Sprint and hope to get a run out at the Manchester World Cup," he confirmed. "I'm also aiming for one of the Keirin spots. I'm pleased with my progress so if I can convert the gym work to speed on the track things will be looking good later in the season".
The sprinters will race a 200m Time Trial, Keirin and Match Sprint with a GB verses Holland Team Sprint set to close the evening.
Full rider lists and race programme are available on www.cyclingrevolution.com and tickets are available to purchase online or by calling 0843 208 1840. Tickets will also be available to purchase on the door.
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