Brailsford named a 24-strong team; 14 track cyclists, seven road cyclists, two from mountain bike and one from BMX.

 

After an impressive world track cycling championships in Manchester earlier this year, cycling is expected to be Britain's top-performing sport next month, with a forecast of six gold medals.

 

The squad includes former rower Rebecca Romero, who goes to Beijing to compete in the individual pursuit and points race having won a silver at the Athens Olympics in the quadruple skulls.

 

Also in the squad are world champions Chris Hoy, who will compete in the sprint, team sprint and keirin; Victoria Pendleton (sprint); Shanaze Reade (BMX) and Bradley Wiggins (individual and team pursuits and madison).

 

Brailsford said: "This is clearly both the strongest and most professional cycling team from Britain in living memory.

 

"The tough selection decisions which had to be made are a testament to our strength and depth of talent.'

 

Romero, who won an Olympic rowing silver medal in Athens four years ago, is selected in the track team, while Shanaze Reade will compete in the BMX, with a male rider to be selected for that event at a later date.

 

Romero said: “Having already been to the Olympics as a rower and then retired I never thought I’d return to the Games.

 

"Having taken up cycling my aim was to qualify and getting the selection letter made it real that I was going; and not only am I going but I’m going as the world’s number one!”  

 

Chris Hoy, won the kilometre race in Athens four years ago, will compete in the sprint, team sprint and keirin after his gold-medal event was controversially dropped from the Olympic programme.

 

He said: “I’m delighted to be named in the squad for the Beijing Olympics, particularly given the very high standard of competition for places.

 

"I’m looking forward to getting out there and showing how good British cycling is and to having a successful Games.”

 

There will also be high hopes of success from the Victoria Pendleton in the sprint.

 

She said: “I’m really pleased to be selected.

 

"It’s an honour to be selected especially in such a strong squad.

 

"I’m looking forward to going to Beijing and building on my form from the worlds in Manchester earlier this year.”

 

But there is no place in the team for road race champion Rob Hayles, who  won the British national road race title last month, but the four men selected to compete in Beijing are Jonny Bellis, Steve Cummings, Roger Hammond and Ben Swift.  

 

Simon Clegg, the Chef de Mission for Team GB, said: “The recent performances at the World Track Cycling Championships in Manchester should give these athletes considerable confidence going into Beijing.

 

"Cycling delivered considerable success for Team GB in Athens and all the indications are that this talented group of cyclists will achieve significant podium results in Beijing ."

 

The full team can be read at http://www.olympics.org.uk/beijing2008/News.aspx?id=2459.