New Sky Track Cycling kit revealed as British line-up announced for Manchester World Cup

British Cycling and Sky have launched a new kit for Sky Track Cycling – formerly Team Sky+HD – that will make its debut at this weekend’s UCI Track Cycling World Cup in Manchester, and the governing body has also revealed which British riders will be racing there, with Rebecca Romero withdrawing through injury.

According to a joint press release, the kit has been “aligned to that of the professional British road cycling team Sky Pro Cycling,” although the accent colour is red, rather than blue, and appears on the arms and shoulders, rather than across the chest – so not an exact copy in a different colourway, then - although like the road kit, the rider’s name and national flag is printed on the side.

It adds that “the prominence given to ‘SkyRide’ on the skinsuits underpins Sky’s commitment to get a million more people cycling by 2013 by inspiring people of all ages and abilities to get on their bikes,” although the pictures supplied, which all show a front view, don't actually reveal where the SkyRide logo actually appears.

Four time Olympic champion Sir Chris Hoy, shown modelling the kit with Shanaze Reade and Victoria Pendelton, said: "It's a really classic design, which is simple and understated, and a lot of work has gone into getting it perfect. We're excited about racing in our new helmets and clothing - it'll be good to come out looking smart and ready to go."

Meanwhile, British Cycling disclosed that Rebecca Romero, winner of Olympic gold in the individual pursuit at Beijing, would miss this weekend’s action as a result of a minor injury, adding that “Rebecca’s focus remains very much on the preparations for the forthcoming UCI Track Cycling World Championships in March and the medical team advised her that competing at this World Cup at this stage in her rehabilitation could jeopardise her chances for selection for the World Championships.”

British Eurosport 2 will show a two-hour highlights programme starting at 8pm on Sunday evening, while BBC will be broadcasting the event live on its website and via the red button. The British riders who will be competing at Manchester, and who will be competing in the colours of either Sky Track Cycling, Great Britain or Team 100% ME, are listed below in the order of the events they appear in.

According to British Cycling, it’s the strongest British field since the country dominated the track programme at Beijing, and many of the country’s Olympic and World Champions feature, although there is also plenty of younger, up-and-coming talent who will be looking to push their more senior team mates for places in the London Olympics.

Friday 18 February

Men’s Sprint
Sir Chris Hoy (Sky Track Cycling)
Jason Kenny (Sky Track Cycling)

Men’s Omnium
Ben Swift (GB)

Women’s Team Pursuit
Wendy Houvenaghel, Joanna Rowsell, Sarah Storey (GB)
Katie Colclough, Dani King, Laura Trott, Claire Galloway (100%ME)

Men’s Individual Pursuit
Geraint Thomas (GB)

Women’s Team Sprint
Victoria Pendleton and Shanaze Reade (Sky Track Cycling)
Becky James and Jess Varnish (GB)

Saturday 19 February:

Women’s Sprint
Victoria Pendleton (Sky Track Cycling)
Becky James (GB)
Jess Varnish (GB)

Women’s Omnium
Lizzie Armitstead (GB)

Men’s Keirin
Sir Chris Hoy (Sky Track Cycling)

Women’s Scratch Race
Laura Trott (100%ME)

Men’s Omnium
Ben Swift (GB)

Sunday 20 February:

Men’s Team Sprint
Sir Chris Hoy, Matt Crampton, Ross Edgar, Jason Kenny (Sky Track Cycling)

Women’s Omnium
Lizzie Armitstead (GB)

Women’s Keirin
Victoria Pendleton (Sky Track Cycling)
Becky James (GB)
Jess Varnish (GB)

Men’s Team Pursuit
Steven Burke, Ed Clancy, Andy Tennant, Geraint Thomas, Bradley Wiggins (GB)