Current world and Olympic men’s kilometre time trial champion Chris Hoy will throw out the challenge to rest of the world’s best sprinters in the kilometre time trial on day one of the UCI Track Cycling World Cup at Manchester 23-25th February 2007.

The 30-year-old Scot will ride the Manchester Velodrome boards buoyed by success at this weekend’s world cup round three in Los Angeles where he won two gold medals in the men’s team sprint and men’s Keirin races.

The Manchester meeting will be key to the British sprinters preparation for the World Championships in Palma, Mallorca in March and his subsequent tilt at the kilometre altitude world record in Bolivia in May.

“I will be riding in the kilometre and the sprint,” said the Edinburgh born sprinter: “It’s not often that I get the chance to ride the kilo in front of a home crowd, especially with the rainbow jersey on and that’s always a special occasion for me. I am really looking forward to it. It will be my second from last kilo before I go for the world record in May. I have not done much preparation for the kilo yet so it is important I keep the feel for it. After the world championships I will be focusing on the world record attempt.”

Hoy’s challenge in Manchester could come from a number of international riders including improving Dutchman Tim Veldt who was fourth in the event in the world championships last year. But Hoy’s most serious challenger could be closer to home in the shape of fellow Brit and former Olympic champion Jason Queally.

Event Programme Information and ticket information

Full details of the UCI Track Cycling Manchester World Cup event programme can be found on www.worldtrackcycling.com which includes a link directly to the Ticketmaster page for the event. Day ticket prices start at £12 for adults and £6 for children.