Clancy and Swift in pursuit of British honours in Melbourne

Olympic champion Clancy, 26, from Barnsley, will lead the British team pursuit squad as they look to wrest back the pre-Olympic initiative lost to Australia at last week’s World Cup meet in London.

Swift’s ascension is a feather in the cap for the 24-year-old Rotherham road specialist who is focusing his efforts on the track in 2012. The Team Sky rider hopes to break into Clancy’s team pursuit squad in time for the Olympics, but as he showed in London earlier this month, he is equally adept at the multi-discipline omnium.

Swift finished sixth in the individual event and will be a candidate to race that unless he can force one of Steven Burke, Pete Kennaugh or Geraint Thomas out of the team pursuit squad.

Swift has placed all his eggs into the track basket as he bids for a spot at the Olympics, before retraining his focus on the road after London.

German-born Philip Hindes has also been selected. Hindes has been included in the men’s sprint squad as Britain seek to resolve the dilemma surrounding the team sprint, with Ross Edgar omitted from the team following last weekend’s Track World Cup.

British Cycling performance director Dave Brailsford said: “We have selected a very similar team to travel to the World Championships; the only difference is in the men’s sprint squad.

“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.

“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 has shown great potential in training.”

Britain have struggled to fill the crucial starting spot since the retirement of Jamie Staff. Edgar took on the role in London, but it is likely Jason Kenny will start as man one at the World Championships, which take place from April 4 to 8 at the Hisense Arena.

Squad: Matt Crampton, Philip Hindes, Sir Chris Hoy, Jason Kenny, Victoria Pendleton, Jess Varnish, Steven Burke, Ed Clancy, Pete Kennaugh, Ben Swift, Geraint Thomas, Wendy Houvenaghel, Dani King, Joanna Rowsell, Laura Trott.