Ross Edgar, the Scot who has competed at the last two Olympics, has been replaced in the sprint squad by 19-year-old Philip Hindes (pictured above), who can now stake a claim for the London 2012 Games in the last big event before the Olympics get underway.

Britain topped the medals table at last weekend's UCI World Cup at the London Velodrome, but there was disappointment that the team sprint trio of Edgar, Sir Chris Hoy – who will lead the team of 15 riders in Melbourne from April 4 until 8 – and world individual champion Jason Kenny could do no better than bronze.

Edgar has been left out the Melbourne squad to pursue gym and road training.

Hindes, who was born in Germany, will now vie with Matthew Crampton for the vacant place on the team in Melbourne.


"We have selected a very similar team to travel to the World Championships; the only difference is in the men's sprint squad," said Dave Brailsford, British Cycling performance director (pictured).

"In London, Ross Edgar was in the early stages of recovering from an injury and we think the best option for him now is to focus his training in the gym and on the road over the next few months and as such he won't travel to Australia.

"This doesn't mean we have ruled him out of selection for the Olympic Games.

"The sprint coaches also feel that Philip Hindes has shown great potential in training and, therefore, it would be good for his development to shadow the World Championships team this year."


Reigning world champions Wendy Houvenaghel (above right), Dani King (left) and Laura Trott (centre) are joined in the women's team pursuit squad by Joanna Rowsell, who replaced Houvenaghel as the team broke the world record in winning gold in London last week.

"Overall we're going to Australia feeling confident, and we are looking forward to competing one last time before the Olympic Games," Brailsford added.

The British team in the men's sprint are: Matt Crampton, Philip Hindes, Sir Chris Hoy and Jason Kenny.

Victoria Pendleton and Jess Varnish comprise the women's sprint.

The men's endurance team are Steven Burke, Ed Clancy, Pete Kennaugh, Ben Swift and Geraint Thomas.

Wendy Houvenaghel, Dani King, Joanna Rowsell and Laura Trott make up the women's endurance team.

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