Hoy bids to add to his collection of British titles in Manchester

By Sportsbeat staff

SIR Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton will warm-up up for the European Championships at the National Track Cycling Championships later this month.

CONFIDENT: Sir Chris Hoy will defend three national titles in Manchester as he tunes up for November's European Championships (Getty Images)

Four-time Olympic champion Hoy claimed his maiden domestic title in 1995 but last year won a sweep of sprint, keirin and team sprint titles for the first time in his career.

He will face opposition from Jason Kenny, Ross Edgar, Matt Crampton and Dave Daniell at the event, which will also be the final competition for those heading to the Commonwealth Games in Delhi one week later.

"The National Track Championships has always been an important event and this year is certainly no different as it is the curtain raiser to the new track season," said Hoy, who has previously expressed annoyance he was forced to prioritise the Europeans, the first qualifying event for the London 2012 Olympics, over a third appearance for Scotland in Delhi.

"It's a unique event with the best riders in the country taking part and it's often a stepping stone towards qualification for international representation."

Olympic sprint champion Pendleton will be looking to add to her collection of 25 British titles but will be up against Jess Varnish and two time junior world champion Becky James.

Delhi-bound Ben Swift, who withdrew from this week's Vuelta a Espana after falling sick, will join Team Sky colleagues Ian Stannard, Peter Kennaugh and Geraint Thomas to contest the scratch, points and individual pursuit races.

Meanwhile, David Millar will replace Thomas in the British team for the road race World Championships next month.

Millar, who was originally only selected for the time-trial in Melbourne, will now also join Mark Cavendish and Jeremy Hunt in the men's road race.

"Following selection, Geraint was feeling tired in subsequent races and felt the road worlds were out of reach," said performance director David Brailsford.

"David Millar has now been selected to ride the road race as well as the time-trial and based on his current form we believe he will work well with Jeremy to give Mark the best chance at the road worlds."