Six Olympic gold medallists have been named in Great Britain’s squad for the forthcoming UCI Track Cycling World Championships in Minsk, Belarus, on February 20-24.

Jason Kenny, Phil Hindes, Ed Clancy, Steve Burke, Dani King and Laura Trott spearhead the 16-rider line-up, while Kian Emadi, Vicky Williamson, Jon Dibben, Owain Doull, Simon Yates and Elinor Barker are all set to make their World Championship debut.

Performance director Dave Brailsford said: “The first year of an Olympic cycle is always an interesting one as it gives the opportunity for our young riders to compete alongside the world’s best and experience the competitive environment which is crucial for their development.

“With that in mind, the focus for the team is to perform to the best of their ability as the route to Rio firmly begins.”

Sprinter Jess Varnish has been ruled out of the squad through injury, while Clancy will return to the endurance squad having ridden as ‘man three’ in the team sprint at the Glasgow World Cup.

“I had wanted to open the door to do both disciplines [team pursuit and team sprint] in Rio,” said Clancy, part of Great Britain’s Olympic team pursuit winning quartets in Beijing and London.

“It started well in Glasgow but Philip [Hindes] and Jason [Kenny] have progressed as they would expect to in the last couple of months and I haven’t really made any gains.”

Sprint
Matt Crampton
Kian Emadi
Becky James
Jason Kenny
Phil Hindes
Vicky Williamson

Men’s Endurance
Steven Burke
Ed Clancy
Jon Dibben
Owain Doull
Sam Harrison
Andy Tennant
Simon Yates

Women’s Endurance
Elinor Barker
Dani King
Laura Trott