Revolution Championship heats up as it enters final two rounds

Details of the final two events in the 2010/11 Revolution series have been announced, with a strong focus on the sprinters on the Manchester Velodrome Track a week tomorrow, while January’s double-header will once again include the National Madison Championships.

Next week’s event on Saturday 11 December will feature long-time Revolution stalwarts Ross Edgar, Tuen Mulder and Craig MacLean, who will also be joined by up-and-coming Dave Daniell and Roy Van Den Berg, all looking to score points for their respective teams as the championship heats up.

Maxgear currently tops the standings by just two points from Team Sky, but Le Col and Motorpoint in joint third place could both retain a chance of clinching the title in January.

Other teams such as CHEP, which has Olympic medalist and World Champion MacLean in his line-up, remain in contention for a podium place.

MacLean, who makes his Revolution season debut after a season acting as pilot in the British Paralympic squad, captains the CHEP team and said: “We’ve had a bit of an odd season in the Paralympics Squad as our World Championships, which were meant to be held around now, have been postponed.”

He added: “It’s now in the middle of March, so I’ve had a bit of downtime and an injury, but I’m working hard for Revolution 31 to support Team CHEP. Revolution will be a good test of where I am, and great preparation for my championships.”

MacLean led last year’s Revolution Championship winners, the Slicks, from the front, putting in some strong performances backed by team mates including Bradley Wiggins and a strong Future Stars squad.

Looking ahead to next Saturday, MacLean said, “I’ll do my best to score a few points for CHEP. Teams can often pick up some valuable points from the sprinters, but with the introduction of some riders, they’re often unknown quantities at this time of year, so I’ll be keeping an eye out and doing the best I can for the team.”

The season comes to the end on January 15 with a double header of the British Madison Championships and the final round of the Revolution Championship, a format introduced to great success earlier this year to bring the curtain down on the 2009/10 Revolution season.

Last year’s British Madison Championship was won by Mark Christian and Luke Rowe, and James Pope of Revolution organisers Face Partnership said: “The double bill proved a great success earlier this year.

“We hosted the 2010 Madison Championships in the afternoon before Revolution 28 and the programme included elite sprint events and a Future Stars Madison. We’ll follow the same format this season to create a full day and evening of racing and entertainment.”

Although it has now disappeared from the Olympic track programme, the Madison remains a format that attracts fans and riders alike. “The Madison has always been hugely popular with our audience,” added Pope. “The Madison Time Trial is one of the most exciting events at Revolution and the three man Madison at the last event was a massive hit with the spectators and the riders.”

“I think the race still has an important part to play in modern track cycling so we are pleased to host the Championships once again,” he concluded.

Entries for the National Madison Championships are now being accepted, with information available on the British Cycling website, and details of the Revolution events including ticketing information can be found on the Championship’s website or by calling 0843 208 1840.