COLNE track cyclist Steven Burke is preparing to represent Great Britain in the final event of the World Cup series in Manchester tomorrow – but he knows he cannot assume his place is secure for the team pursuit at London 2012.

Burke won a bronze medal in the individual pursuit at the Beijing Olympics but, with that event now scrapped by the IOC, the 22-year-old has been a stalwart of Great Britain’s four-man team pursuit set-up since then.

Competition is hotting up before next year’s Olympics, though, with three-time gold medallist Bradley Wiggins returning to the squad this weekend after a spell concentrating on road racing.

Geraint Thomas – another of the quartet to win the team pursuit in Beijing – will also be back in the fold for tomorrow’s event in Manchester, with television coverage on BBC2 from 1.30pm.

Jason Queally, 40, who won gold in 2000, is not in the five-man squad this weekend but is among the others still in contention for the Olympics.

“There are eight or nine riders competing for four spots so there’s a lot of competition and it’s not going to be easy,” said Burke, who may also be in contention to compete in the omnium at 2012.

“I don’t think anyone’s safe, you just have to keep performing.

“I’m a big believer that you just have to pick the best four at the time. I think that’s the only fair way.

“This week has gone really well and it’s the first time since the Olympics I think since Bradley Wiggins has been back in the team.

“He is an awesome rider, as is Geraint Thomas, so it’s great to have them around and good for morale.”

Great Britain are tipped to win this weekend’s competition, with fierce rivals Australia sending a younger squad ahead of next month’s World Championships.

The team have around half a dozen events to go before the Olympics, with Great Britain in a strong position to qualify as expected, and Burke believes a world record could be close.

He said: “It would be great to get it and we’d really like to get a world record at the Olympics. That would be awesome.

“It is a big event for us in Manchester because you want to do well in front of a home crowd.”