Geraint Thomas will begin his London 2012 preparations at the European Track Cycling Championships this weekend after being named in Great Britain’s 15-rider squad.

Thomas won Olympic team pursuit gold with Bradley Wiggins, Ed Clancy and Paul Manning in Beijing in 2008 but has since turned his attention the road, wearing the white jersey for the first week of this year’s Tour de France and finishing the race as the best-placed Brit in 31st.

But Thomas is set to miss the 2012 Tour in order to concentrate on defending his Olympic title, and now, with the road season over, has been named alongside Clancy, Steven Burke, Peter Kennaugh and Andy Tennant in the men’s endurance squad for the European Championships, which take place in Apeldoorn, Holland, on October 21-23.

“We’re sending a strong team to the Euros and our aim remains to score Olympic qualification points early,” said performance manager Shane Sutton.

“I’d say we are on target to achieve this as the whole team is looking strong and healthy as we enter into the final preparation stages for London 2012.”

Sir Chris Hoy spearheads the men’s sprint line-up, alongside Matt Crampton, Jason Kenny and Jason Queally, who is looking to return to the Olympic Games 12 years after winning kilo gold in Sydney.

Two-time Paralympic gold medallist Sarah Storey has been named in the women’s endurance squad with Dani King, Joanna Rowsell and Laura Trott, while Olympic champion Victoria Pendleton and Jess Varnish make up the women’s sprint squad.

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