Olympic Keirin silver medallist Ross Edgar, Russell Downing and Pete Kennaugh and will lead Team Sky’s charge at Revolution 31 on Saturday.
Team Sky currently lie second in the team standings on 16 points, two behind Maxgear and two ahead of Motorpoint.
But with the British team’s road cohort, including Geraint Thomas, away on an pre-season road training camp, the trio are left to confront a host of Continental stars and Downing is expecting a tough night at the office.
“I’ve been training pretty well on the turbo over the last few weeks,” said Downing. “The track is a different ball game and the calibre 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.”
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.
Revolution organiser James Pope said: “We’ve put a twist on several of the races to test the endurance riders and make the racing even more exciting.
“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.”
Iljo Keisse, who last month had a doping ban overturned by the Belgian Court of Appeals, 2004 Olympic madison silver medallist Franco Marvulli, six-day specialist Leif Lampater and 2008 Olympic team pursuit silver medallist Jens Eric Madsen are included in a star-studded Australian pursuit line-up.
In the sprint racing, the Dutch trio of Teun Mulder, Roy van den Berg and Hugo Haak will take on a British attack which includes 2000 Olympic team sprint runner-up Craig MacLean, Dave Daniell, Keirin silver medallist at October’s Commonwealth Games, and Edgar.
Edgar said: “Revolution will provide a good opportunity to break up the training with competition which is good for motivation and to give a tactical refresh.
“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. 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 added.
“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 vs Holland team sprint set to close the evening.
Full rider lists and the race programme are available at www.cyclingrevolution.com and tickets can be purchased online or by calling 0843 208 1840. Tickets will also be available to purchase on the door.
