Manchester welcomes conquering Olympians home

By Ben Atkins

After the glamour and prestige of this summer's Olympic Games in Beijing the world's top track riders return to the day to day business of the World Cup. As well as the kudos of World Cup victories, the process now begins for qualification for next spring's World Championships, and many are looking beyond to the next Olympic Games in London in 2012.

It's hard to see the Great Britain team managing to enjoy the same kind of domination as it enjoyed in Beijing – or indeed the World Championships here in March – but the home crowd will be 100% behind the home riders and will expect to be rewarded.

The notable absentee from the home team will be three-time Beijing Olympic champion Chris Hoy. The rest of the Great Britain sprinters will be battling to fill the big Scot's shoes though, and Jason Kenny and Ross Edgar – silver medallists behind Hoy in the sprint and Keirin respectively – will be flying the flag in his absence.

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