Becky James back in Britain squad for UCI Track Cycling World Cup
Friday 11 December 2015 09:25, UK
Becky James is set to return from injury and illness at next week's UCI Track Cycling World Cup in New Zealand after being named in Great Britain's squad..
James, who turns 24 on Sunday, won two world titles in 2013 before being sidelined by a serious knee injury and a cancer scare.
Crucial Olympic qualifying points are at stake at the three-day event in Cambridge, which starts on December 4, and James is set to join Olympic champions Jason Kenny and Philip Hindes in the British team.
Sir Bradley Wiggins and the women's endurance squad, led by Laura Trott, are being rested, but Ed Clancy is available to race following a back problem.
Technical director Shane Sutton said: "We'll be going to New Zealand with the aim of scoring vital Olympic qualification points, particularly in the sprint events, and it's great to see Becky James come back into the fold.
"We're in the fortunate position that our performance across men's and women's endurance has left us in a strong position in qualification allowing us to blood some of our younger academy riders.
"It's absolutely vital that we expose them to the pressures of world-class competition at a young age and this experience will undoubtedly stand them in good stead in the rest of their careers."
Great Britain squad: Becky James, Jess Varnish, Katy Marchant, Jason Kenny, Philip Hindes, Callum Skinner, Lewis Oliva, Ed Clancy, Chris Latham, Germain Burton, Mark Stewart, Oliver Wood, Emily Nelson, Emily Kay, Manon Lloyd, Megan Barker, Abigail Dentus.
