Britons ruled supreme at the Olympics, capturing a record 14 medals, eight of which were gold and three won by Sir Chris.

 

He said: I don't think there is extra pressure on the team heading to Poland as we have been expected to win for a number of years now.

 

"British cyclists have been at the top for a number of years but last summer's Olympics really catapulted the whole team into the view of the public.

 

"That was fantastic but now it's important to keep winning at championships like this because they are stepping stones to the London Olympics."

 

Sir Chris will miss the world championships after suffering a bad crash in a World Cup meeting in Copenhagen at the end of last month.

 

He is one of several leading British names missing, including fellow Olympic gold medallists Bradley Wiggins and Rebecca Romero, but has given the youngsters an opportunity.

 

Heiko Salzwedel, the team's new performance manager, is cherishing the opportunity to see just how far some of the team's emerging talent can go under championship conditions.

 

He said: "For all of us, this is year one.

 

"We've had a bit of a transition period where we tried out a few new things and a few new riders and we see these World Championships as an opportunity for young riders to show us what they can do, to make a name for themselves, and use the void that has been opened up by the likes of Bradley Wiggins to step and and seize their chance."

 

Wiggins and team pursuit champion Geraint Thomas are currently racing on the road and Romero, the Olympic women's pursuit champion, has decided not to compete.

 

However Olympic women's sprint champion Victoria Pendleton will be in action, and aiming to defend her world crown, while Wendy Houvenaghel - a silver medal winner last year behind Romero - is now a big favourite for gold in the 3000 metre event.

 

The women's pursuit, 500 metre time trial and the men's team sprint and points race feature on the first day of competition.

 

Although Britain have not set themselves a medal target, Salzwedel - who led Denmark to an impressive Olympic team pursuit silver medal in Beijing - is looking for top performances.

 

He said: "We've prepared well, the team is focused and everybody wants to use that opportunity, especially the young riders because they know the slot they're in is only temporary.

 

"A lot of countries have continued with their Olympic teams but for us in many ways it's a new start.

 

"But don't write us off. I wouldn't consider us a top favourite like we were in Beijing, but I would consider us a very competitive team."

 

With Hoy out of the picture, following a crash in the keirin at a World Cup event in Copenhagen, France are now the big favourites for glory in the three-man sprint event.

 

Britain are likely to start with Olympic champion Jamie Staff, with Olympic sprint silver medallist Kenny in second role.

 

In the individual sprint French duo Gregory Bauge and Kevin Sireau will provide Kenny with some stiff opposition, while Ross Edgar will be hoping to perform well in the keirin, arguably his strongest event, against the likes of Sireau and Malaysia's pocket rocket Azizulhasni Awang.