Philip Hindes is the surprise inclusion in Great Britain’s 15-strong rider line-up for the UCI Track World Championships which begins in Melbourne on April 4.

The 19-year-old sprinter, who holds dual German and British nationality, will join Sir Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny, and Matt Crampton in the men’s sprint squad.

Ross Edgar, who rode in the ‘man one’ position last week in the closing round of the UCI Track World Cup at the London velodrome, has not been selected.

British Cycling’s performance director, Dave Brailsford, said Edgar’s failure to make the cut for the world championships did not rule him out of the Olympics.

“In London, Ross Edgar was in the early stages of recovering from an injury and we think the best option for him now is to focus his training in the gym and on the road over the next few months and as such he won’t travel to Australia – this doesn’t mean we have ruled him out of selection for the Olympic Games.”

He added: “The sprint coaches also feel that Philip Hindes has shown great potential in training and therefore it would be good for his development to shadow the World Championships team this year.

“Overall, we’re going to Australia feeling confident, and we’re looking forward to competing one last time before the Olympic Games.”

The women’s sprint and endurance teams, which broke world records on their way to gold medals in London, remain unchanged.

Victoria Pendleton and Jess Varnish are the two women selected to contest the sprint events. The pair set a new world record on their way to gold in the women’s team pursuit final in London.

Wendy Houvenaghel, who rode in the qualification rounds with the women’s team pursuit squad in London, but was overlooked for the final in which the Great Britain line-up of Dani King, Joanna Rowsell, and Laura Trott broke the world record, has been selected.

The men’s endurance squad of Ed Clancy, Geraint Thomas, Pete Kennaugh, Steven Burke and Ben Swift remains unchanged.

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Great Britain rider line-up for 2012 UCI Track World Championships

Men’s sprint

Matt Crampton
Philip Hindes
Sir Chris Hoy
Jason Kenny

Women’s sprint

Victoria Pendleton
Jess Varnish

Men’s Endurance

Steven Burke
Ed Clancy
Pete Kennaugh
Ben Swift
Geraint Thomas

Women’s Endurance

Wendy Houvenaghel
Dani King
Joanna Rowsell
Laura Trott