Wiggins to ride Manchester world cup

 Olympic Gold Medallist, Bradley Wiggins will ride in the Manchester track world cup. British Cycling has today confirmed that double Olympic gold medallist Bradley Wiggins will race at the event, which takes place from 31 October to 2 November at Manchester Velodrome.

Wiggins is expected to compete in the madison with team-mate Geraint Thomas at the Track World Cup. Wiggins is the current madison World Champion after a spectacular performance with Mark Cavendish at the UCI World Track Cycling Championships in Manchester in March. It is not clear whether his pairing with Thomas for the world cup signals the end of the Wiggins/Cavendish partnership.

The world champions did not win a medal in the event at the Olympics, much to the Cavendish's disappointment – and the pair did not speak for some weeks afterwards. Wiggins took gold medals in the individual pursuit and team pursuit at the Beijing Olympics. 

The news adds another Olympic gold medallist to the list of British cycling heroes already confirmed for the Track Cycling World Cup. These include Steven Burke, Ed Clancy, Geraint Thomas, Chris Newton, Ross Edgar, Jamie Staff, Jason Kenny, Wendy Houvenahgel and Victoria Pendleton.

Tickets for the event are sold out, however extra sales of Silver Club Hospitality are now available. Tickets cost £35 each and include exclusive track centre access, a light buffet prepared by a top chef and complimentary drinks. Tickets can be purchased from Nicola Rolph on 0161 274 2026 or nicolarolph [at] britishcycling.org.uk 

You can also catch the action on BBC television. It will be broadcast live on BBC Interactive from 7pm until 10.40pm on Friday 31 October and from 7pm until 10.20pm on Saturday 1 November. Highlights from Friday and Saturday’s action with live coverage of Sunday’s races will feature in a show on BBC on Sunday 2 November from 2pm until 5pm.

Triple Olympic gold medallist Chris Hoy will not ride at the event, but will make special guest appearances on Friday 31 October and Sunday 2 November and will be available to sign autographs.

For more information about the world cup event in Manchester, visit www.trackworldcup.co.uk