The UCI Track Cycling World Championships have arrived in Manchester and will be staged at the city's velodrome

The Netherlands team unpack their cycles in less than salubrious conditions outside the arena

Inside, teams go through last-minute technical preparations ahead of the championships, which start on Wednesday

The British contingent, which includes Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton, have high hopes of winning medals

And the team meet for final day talks before the racing begins with the qualifying for the men's individual pursuit

The bikes they will be riding are worth around �17,000 each but still benefit from the simplest of help...

...white vinegar is used to make the tyres sticky at the start of a race, yet smooth as the race progresses