Jessica Varnish is convinced that the strength of the cyclists competing in Glasgow will make it impossible for just one to emerge as the 'face' of British cycling.

The Commonwealth Games marks the first major multi-sport event for track cycling since the London Olympics, where celebrated athletes Sir Chris Hoy and Victoria Pendleton made their swansongs.

Hoy, a six-time Olympic champion, was tempted briefly to compete in the velodrome that bears his name, while Pendleton stepped aside after an emotionally draining competition in London. Both riders gained a level of celebrity and public recognition that seemed to transcend the traditional parameters of their sport but Varnish, a former sprint partner of Pendleton, believes the range of talent on show in Glasgow will prevent others making the same leap.

Her conviction grew stronger with the confirmation that Sir Bradley Wiggins will take part in the team pursuit only. "I think track cycling has changed in the last few years and I think there's so much more depth now," said Varnish. "British Cycling has grown massively and it's not just about one or two people now. There's so many more people involved at a high level."

Varnish will go up against Anna Meares of Australia, the winner of their last ever duel in the individual sprint in London and Pendleton's great nemesis, but she is reluctant to take over that rivalry from her compatriot.

"I'm not just thinking about one person because the track has grown quite a lot since then - it's not just two girls going head to head all the time," she said. "They were racing each other for a very long time so they developed that rivalry. Now there's so many other girls."

And so many strong competitors throughout cycling. Wiggins is in action today as he returns to pursuit duty with Team England colleagues Ed Clancy, Steven Burke and Andy Tennant. The 2012 Tour de France winner, overlooked controversially by Team Sky this year, will be a big draw for spectators as he makes his return to the track and he will be hoping to help improve on the team's disappointing performance at the world championships, where they failed to qualify for the final.

In the men's sprint division, triple Olympic champion Jason Kenny and team gold-medallist Philip Hindes lead the English challenge, with Scotland's Callum Skinner and Wales' Lewis Oliva also going up against the likes of world champions Ethan Mitchell and Sam Webster of New Zealand.

For Kenny, it represents a chance to complete a hat trick of major titles, having succeeded already on the world and Olympic stage. His partner, Laura Trott, could achieve the a hat trick of her own and will be fighting on three fronts as she competes in the individual pursuit, scratch and points race. The individual pursuit pits her against London 2012 team-mates Dani King and Joanna Rowsell, as well as the home favourite Katie Archibald.

The Commonwealth programme also offers the chance for para-athletes to share the stage in the form of four tandem events - two each for men and women. Among them will be Sophie Thornhill, a visually impaired 18-year-old who will ride with pilot Helen Scott, who is enthusiastic about showcasing her skills.

"It's a massive thing to get the word out and show how exciting our sport is," she said. "Hopefully it will help us into more able-bodied programmes."