Australian Shane Sutton plots our cyclists’ downfall as coach of the Great Britain teams

THE Australian cycling coach behind enemy lines with the Great Britain nations in Glasgow is tipping a brutal start to the “the Ashes on wheels”.

London Olympics 2012. Day 2. England cycling coach Shane Sutton speaks to Australian media regarding yesterdays Men's road r...

THE Australian cycling coach behind enemy lines with the Great Britain nations in Glasgow is tipping a brutal start to the battle dubbed “the Ashes on wheels” at the Glasgow velodrome today.

Australia will renew hostilities with England on the track on the opening day of the Commonwealth Games where they have a strong gold medal hope in all three events up for grabs.

Less than 24 hours after carrying the flag in last night's opening ceremony, Anna Meares will line up in her favourite event — the 500m time trial in which she owns the world record.

FLAG HONOUR TO HOIST MEARES HIGHER

Then all eyes will be on the men's team sprint and team pursuit where Australia is set to go head-to-head with England and also New Zealand as the defending champions in both events.

Anna Meares rides a wave of emotion after being announced as Australia’s flag bearer.

Head of British Cycling is Australian Shane Sutton, who coached Bradley Wiggins to victory in the Tour de France in 2012 and has now reunited with the superstar on the track as he chases a fifth Olympic gold medal.

Part of that journey to Rio will unfold in Glasgow today when Wiggins and England look to dethrone Australia as Commonwealth Games team pursuit champions.

“His numbers are fantastic and he looks really good,” Sutton said of Wiggins.

“Three years off the boards, he's come in and adapted very quickly and now Bradley has come back that can only reignite the fire in the team.

Bradley Wiggins will headline England’s medal hopes on the track in Glasgow.

“He will be a big leader there with them and you need that in big battles.”

Sutton — who is also responsible for guiding Wales, Scotland and Ireland during the Games — said England had an undeniably strong squad.

“England is a very strong team and where they're at physically will depend on the day,” Sutton said.

“Everyone wants to do well and the eyes of a nation will be on them.

“New Zealand, Canada, Australia and England are four of the strongest nations in world cycling and they are competing here so everyone will have their work cut out.”

Anna Meaes tests out the track in Glasgow.

While Meares' tears and emotional interview after being named Australia's flag-bearer on Monday night showed what it meant to wear the green and gold, Wiggins also spoke about what it meant to him to represent England rather than the broader Great Britain at the Olympics.

“I know some people put the Commonwealth Games down but you're still representing your country and it's very rare to wear the England kit on the track or an England tracksuit — unless you're a footballer or cricket player,” he said.

“And it's almost become a bit politically correct — you're not really allowed to support England now and it's nice we can fly that flag and compete for England.”

Australia dominated track cycling at the Delhi Games by winning 12 of the 14 gold medals up for grabs but several of Britain's biggest names did not compete so they could focus on Olympic qualification.

Originally published as Australian Shane Sutton plots our cyclists’ downfall as coach of the Great Britain teams