Track World Cup, Manchester
Venue: Manchester Velodrome Dates: 18-20 February
Coverage: Watch live all three days on BBC red button and online (UK only) and BBC Two on Sunday; listen on 5 live sports extra

Romero last appeared on the track in China over two years ago

Britain's Rebecca Romero will be unable to make her track cycling return in this weekend's World Cup Classics event after picking up a "minor" injury.

Romero, who has not been on the track since her Olympic gold in Beijing in 2008, will now focus on being fit for March's World Championships in Holland.

Three-time Olympic champion Bradley Wiggins will race in the team pursuit.

Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton are among the six Olympic Champions in action for the GB team in Manchester.

Paralympic gold medallist Sarah Storey and BMX world champion Shanaze Reade will also ride at the three-day event.

The absence of Romero will be frustrating for the 31-year-old after being lined up to make the women's team pursuit in Manchester - the only track event now suited to her in the Olympic programme.

A British Cycling statement read: "The medical team advised her that competing at this World Cup could jeopardise her chances for selection for the World Championships."

Wiggins and Romero have both been concentrating on road racing careers as they now ramp up their preparations ahead of the London Olympics in 18 months.

Wiggins, who won individual pursuit gold at the 2004 Athens Olympics then added gold in individual and team pursuits in Beijing four years later, joins Geraint Thomas, Ed Clancy, Steven Burke and Andy Tennant for the five-man, four kilometre team pursuit.

It will be Wiggins' first time in a GB vest on the track since his heroic efforts in China in November 2008 with the 29-year-old Londoner, fourth in the Tour de France in 2009, also a possibility for the track World Championships in the Netherlands which run from 23 to 27 March.

Jason Queally was among the riders not to be selected.

With Romero missing out, Paralympic champion Sarah Storey will ride with Wendy Houvenaghel and Joanna Rowsell, while a group of four youngsters will compete for a place in the 100% ME team.

Hoy opens his campaign on Friday in the men's sprint and will ride in all three sprint events - individual sprint, team sprint and Keirin - for Sky Track Cycling.

Pendleton also competes in three events, riding in the two-woman, two-lap team sprint alongside BMX ace Reade for Sky Track Cycling against Britain's Becky James and Jess Varnish.

Ben Swift and Lizzie Armitstead will represent GB in the omnium events.

Great Britain team

Men's sprint: Matt Crampton, Ross Edgar, Sir Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny
Men's endurance: Steven Burke, Ed Clancy, Andrew Tennant, Geraint Thomas, Bradley Wiggins, Ben Swift
Women's Sprint: Becky James, Victoria Pendleton, Shanaze Reade, Jess Varnish
Women's Endurance: Lizzie Armitstead, Katie Colclough, Claire Galloway, Wendy Houvenaghel, Dani King, Joanna Rowsell, Sarah Storey, Laura Trott

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