More than 400 athletes from 40 countries have travelled to the Dutch city to contest the 20 titles on offer at the Omnisport Apeldoorn.

There are 235 men registered to compete at the Championships, while 172 women are also down to take to the boards.

It is the second year that there is gender parity in terms of events, following the introduction of the women's madison last year.

Improvements in gender parity will be a focus of the Championships, which is celebrating its 60th anniversary since women competed for the first time.

One of the women expected to start at the Championships will be Kristina Vogel, following a superb Track World Cup campaign by the German sprinter.

The two-time Olympic gold medallist will hope to defend the women's sprint and keirin titles that she claimed last year in Hong Kong.

The Championships will also see the return of Jason and Laura Kenny, with the Britons starting to build towards Tokyo 2020.

Four-time Olympic champion Laura Kenny will be making her first appearance on the track in an international competition since giving birth to her first child six months ago.

Kenny’s husband Jason, who boasts six Olympic golds, is returning after opting to take a break after Rio 2016, where he claimed three titles.

Australia have sent a small squad to the Championships, with their priority firmly focused on a home Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, which will take place in April.

They will still have a strong chance of success, with Cameron Meyer hoping to defend the men’s points race title he earned in 2017.

The opening day of the Championships will see the women’s 10 kilometre scratch race title decided, along with the men’s and women’s team sprint competitions.

Competition will continue until March 4.