First round of 2009/10 Track World Cup Series awarded to British Cycling and Manchester

British Cycling tonight confirmed that it will host the first round of the 2009/2010 UCI Track Cycling World Cup Classics at the Manchester Velodrome from 30 October to 1 November. Tickets aren't available yet, even British Cycling aren't that quick off the mark, but you can register for exclusive pre-sale ticket information and event updates at the official website www.trackworldcup.co.uk.

The event will be the first major international event of the season following on from the 2008/2009 season finale UCI Track Cycling World Championships taking place in Poland this week where so far British riders have won one gold in the women's team pursuit, silver in the women's team sprint, and the women's individual pursuit, silver in the men's team sprint and bronze in the women's 500m time trial.

By recent standards this is a disappointing performance for Team GB, but it shouldn't put much of a dampener on ticket sales for the Autumn World Cup event in Manchester. The World Cup came to Manchester last year when capacity crowds turned up to cheer Olympic heroes such as Bradley Wiggins and Victoria Pendleton.

Commenting on the news British Cycling CEO Ian Drake said: “It is great news that British Cycling has been awarded this high profile event in 2009 and demonstrates our ability and intention to host an increasing number of major international events in the UK in the run up to London 2012. It will be a great opportunity for the growing number of cycling fans in the UK to see the British Cycling Team in action on home soil and I am confident this will help to inspire more people to participate in our sport.”