The American Revolution

More international riders are now confirmed for the opening Revolution of the season, with USA Cycling sending a team to challenge the British at the Manchester Velodrome on October 20th. It will be the first time American riders will have raced at the Revolution and the reputation of the event has clearly made its way across the Atlantic.

"I first heard about the Revolution from a good friend Peter Jacques who I coached at one time when he was one of the best," said USA National Team Coach Des Dickie. "Also Chris Hoy and Craig MacLean said it was one of the best events on the track programme so we wanted to experience it for ourselves". Dickie will bring a squad including Michael Blatchford, Colby Pearce, Mike Friedman and Christen King using Revolution as crucial preparation for the upcoming World Cup events.

"USA Cycling thinks this is a good event to get our top athletes ready for the World Cup events," he confirmed. "Of course everyone is getting ready for the Olympic Games and we know the British are strong and will prove a good test for our athletes. The event programme will also provide a good challenge so we are excited to be invited and the riders are looking forward to the racing."

Pearce is one of the more experienced of the Americans, having won the overall in the UCI World Cup Points competition in 2002 and sprinter Blatchford is no stranger to the podium at World Cup events. Slipstream professional Friedman and up and coming female rider King will also be dangerous and in good form following the US National Track Championships, which kick off today.

With the British Track Championships also taking place this week riders from both sides of the Atlantic will be well prepared for the action on October 20th.