New discipline awaits Swift in Manchester

Rotherham’s Ben Swift takes his turn at cycling the omnium at the Track World Cup meeting in Manchester this weekend.

The 23-year-old, who won two stages on the recent Tour Down Under for Team Sky, is Britain’s representative in the multi-discipline event.

His fellow Yorkshireman Ed Clancy won omnium gold in the opening World Cup meet in Cali, Columbia, last November, but will turn his attentions to the team pursuit alongside Bradley Wiggins, Andy Tennant, Geraint Hughes and Stephen Burke.

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The omnium begins today with races in the three-day event event throughout the weekend, while the team pursuit is on Sunday.

Otley’s Lizzie Armitstead contests the women’s omnium, which also begins today.

Rebecca Romero will not be competing due to a minor injury, with her main focus on the forthcoming UCI Track Cycling World Championships in March in Holland.

The medical team advised her that competing at the World Cup meet at this stage in her rehabilitation could jeopardise her chances for selection for the championships.