Team Sky announce strong squad ahead of the Revolution Champions League

The rider list will consist of: Geraint Thomas (2012 Olympic Team Pursuit Champion), Ian Stannard (Tour of Britain stage winner), Elia Viviani (Olympic Omnium Champion), Vasil Kiryienka (Time-Trial World Champion and former World Points Champion), Ben Swift, Luke Rowe and Peter Kennaugh (2012 Olympic Team Pursuit Champion).

The team selection provides Team Sky with plenty of options in regards to race tactics as they may look to pair powerful riders such as Stannard and Kyrienka with the sprinting abilities of Viviani and Swift.

All seven riders have ridden at the Revolution Series before, giving them an advantage of what to expect over their WorldTour counterparts.

Rod Ellingworth, Head of Performance Operations at Team Sky said, "We're excited to be a part of the new Revolution Champions League format and have a good squad of riders to take part. They have all ridden the Revolution events before so know what to expect but the introduction of the new WorldTour teams adds a different dimension. It will be interesting to see what happens and I'm sure it will be exciting for the fans".

I'm sure it will be exciting for the fans". Revolution Series Promoter, James Pope, said: "Team Sky have a very strong line up and should be one of the main contenders for the Champions League title. These guys are all incredible road riders but let's not forget that there is also some serious track ability and experience in the squad. Thomas and Kennaugh are former Olympic Team Pursuit Champions, Kiryienka is a former Points Race World Champion and of course they have the current Omnium Olympic Champion - Elia Viviani."

The Revolution Champions League will visit Paris, Manchester and London over three consecutive weekends from the 18th November, featuring seven WorldTour teams including Trek Segafredo Lampre-Merida, Giant-Alpecin, LottoNL-Jumbo, Cannondale-Drapac and Orica BikeExchange.– for full details on the race format, go to www.cyclingrevolution.com

Tickets for all UK events are available to purchase from Sky Tickets with full ticket information on www.cyclingrevolution.com

The Revolution Series was created in 2003 by FACE Partnership in collaboration with British Cycling and the National Cycling Centre with two primary objectives: transform track cycling into an exciting new format to attract spectators to the sport and create a competitive arena to develop British talent.

These objectives were met and since its inception Revolution has successfully attracted capacity crowds and helped develop Olympic Champions with riders such as Pete Kennaugh, Jason Kenny and Geraint Thomas graduating from the Future Stars competition.

The Series now welcomes over 35,000 live spectators to sell out events across the Manchester, London, Derby and Glasgow velodromes in the UK and is televised live on Eurosport across 54 countries.

In 2016 the Revolution Series will launch a new Champions League competition to sit above the UK Championship and will expand internationally with the creation of new regional leagues.

www.cyclingrevolution.com - @RevolutionUK - www.facebook.com/RevolutionUK

2016 SEASON

Round 1: Manchester, National Cycling Centre - 17 September

Round 2: Glasgow, Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome - 8 October

Round 3: Manchester, National Cycling Centre - 22 October

Round 1: Paris, Velodrome National - 18 November

Round 2: Paris, Velodrome National - 19 November

Round 3: Manchester, National Cycling Centre - 25 November

Round 4: Manchester, National Cycling Centre - 26 November

Round 5: London, Lee Valley VeloPark - 2 December

Round 6: London, Lee Valley VeloPark - 3 December