GB track stars head to Derby on first step of road to Rio as Revolution Series starts this weekend

Sir Bradley Wiggins, who set a new UCI Hour Record in May, will be the star attraction as the 2015/16 Revolution Series gets under way in Derby tomorrow – and tickets are still available.

The four time Olympic champion is one of seven London 2012 gold medallists on show – the others being Jason Kenny, Philip Hindes, Ed Clancy, Stephen Burke,  Laura Trott and Joanna Rowsell.

Between them, they have amassed 15 career Olympic golds, but one of the biggest names racing this weekend, Mark Cavendish, came away from Beijing in 2008 as the only Team GB track cyclist to miss out on a medal of any colour.

The Etixx-Quick Step rider partnered with Wiggins in the Madison at Beijing, but despite being reigning world champions, they finished out of the medals.

He will team up again with Wiggins – who won gold medals in the team and individual pursuits in 2008 – for the Madison in Derby on Sunday.

- Sir Bradley Wiggins smashes the UCI Hour record

Cavendish, frustrated in his efforts to secure that elusive Olympic medal in the road race at London 2012, says he is keeping his options open for Rio next year, where he may target the Omnium.

Like the other riders competing in Derby over the next three days, he will be aiming to secure Olympic qualification points, a pre-requisite for those wanting to ride in Brazil next year.

In all, 32 riders hoping to make the Team GB track line-up at Rio will be racing this weekend, including former world champion Becky James, with the Welsh sprinter back from injury.

Shanaze Reade, twice a winner of the rainbow jersey in the team sprint when she partnered Victoria Pendleton in the team sprint in 2007 and 2008, is also back on the boards after focusing on BMX in the past two Olympics but finishing out of the medals.

The three time BMX world champion has signed to Madison Genesis as she aims for a track spot for Rio.

Track centre standing tickets are still available here, although organisers warn that they give a restricted view.

This season’s competition has expanded to six rounds, with Glasgow and London hosting one each and Manchester staging three, including the season finale in January.

Friday 14 August: 7pm-10.30pm

Women’s individual pursuit, men’s team pursuit, women’s 500-metre time trial, men’s kilometre time trial, women’s scratch race.

Saturday 15 August: 11.15am-5pm, 7pm-10pm

Men’s individual pursuit, men’s sprint, women’s sprint, women’s omnium, men’s omnium, men’s Madison time trial.

Sunday 16 August: 12noon-5.30pm

Men’s omnium, women’s omnium, men’s keirin, women’s keirin, men’s Madison.