Cyclist Emma Davies begins the defence of her women's 3,000-metres pursuit title at the National Championships in Manchester today (Wednesday).

The 23-year-old, who narrowly missed out on a bronze medal at last month's Commonwealth Games, will show off her champion's jersey at the Velodrome for the first time since winning the title last year. Emma, whose parents live in Lower Peover, will be riding alongside her young teammate Lorna Webb but her main opposition is likely to come from her world-class colleague Sara Symington. "If everything goes to plan I will still be wearing my championship jersey on Thursday evening in the final," she said on Monday. The defence of her title at the Velodrome will start at 11.30am today with the second round at 6.30pm tomorrow (Thursday) and the final at 8pm. Since missing out to Australian cyclist Alison Wright in the 3,000-metre individual pursuit race at the Commonwealth Games, Emma has been training at altitude in Switzerland with friend Caroline Alexander. "I needed to get away after the Commonwealth Games so when Caroline asked me to train with her, I jumped at the chance," said Emma, who flew back to Britain last night (Tuesday). If Emma wins through to the final on Thursday night, she will have to get her skates on. She has got to catch a plane to Amsterdam, where she is due to start the Tour of Holland on Friday.