The combined UCI Cycling World Championships begins in Glasgow on Thursday . It will be a poignant moment for local favourite Katie Archibald the twotime Olympic gold medallist whose partner Rab Wardell died of cardiac arrest during his sleep a year ago .
Britain were only fifth in the medals table at last years track world championships in Paris with three golds the mens team pursuit mens omnium and womens points race . The Dutch topped the table with sprinter Harrie Lavreysen winning the keirin and sprint while Italy were also strong although this time they will not be able to call on powerhouse Filippo Ganna who has skipped the event .
Britain will have high hopes in the BMX racing events with Olympic champion Beth Shriever favourite for gold in the racing category and Charlotte Worthington in the freestyle event she won in sensational fashion at the Tokyo Olympics . Tom Pidcock will also be the rider to beat in the crosscountry event as he swaps his Ineos Grenadiers road bike for his cross country machine for his road bike to compete for the cross country event .
Tour de France Femmes winner Demi Vollering will be among the favourites for the womens road race although she will face formidable opposition from Annemiek van Vleuten Lotte Kopecky and Britains Lizzie Deignan . The British team will face a formidable opposition in the women’s womens cross country race.
Tom Piddcock will be the winner of the race. It will take the riders . The riders will be hoping to repeat his stunning solo ride in the race . It is the first race to meet in the distance from Edinburgh to Glasgow.
