Pendleton won sprint gold in Beijing last August in one of only three events contested by women, with seven contested by men - three of which were won by Sir Chris Hoy and two by Wiggins.
 

The International Olympic Committee (IOC) last month dismissed calls to expand the track cycling programme, meaning any increase in disciplines for women - with the team sprint and keirin events which could be added - would mean a reduction in the number of events for men.
 

A statement from the UCI said: "With the aim of achieving equality between men and women in the Olympic Games cycling events, the members of the new management committee approved the basic principles of a redefinition of the track programme at the Games, which will then need to go to the International Olympic Committee for further discussion."
 

The Madison and the individual pursuit, with Wiggins and Rebecca Romero the reigning champions, are events which could be removed from the programme.

Pendleton has led the protests about the number of opportunities open to women cyclists on the track and earlier this year claimed it would be "embarrassing" for London 2012 if they did not have the same opportunities as the men.

She has been supported by Olympics Minister Tessa Jowell.

Pat McQuaid, the President of the UCI, said: "We have made requests to the International Olympic Committee to have new women's events at the Games to redress the balance.

"We have been told we can have them, but only at the expense at men's events."

The UCI has already said it is keen to promote the men's and women's omnium, a five-event discipline which has been raced at recent World Championships but has not appeared at the Olympics.

A final decision is expected in December.

Changes to the disciplines are always controversial.

After the Athens Games in 2004, the men's kilometre and women's 500 metres time trial was scrapped from the programme, not to make way for new track events but to allow BMX into the Olympics.

Sir Chris, the Olympic kilo champion in 2004, was among the first to complain - only to later admit the decision forced him to concentrate his talents on the speed events of the sprint and the keirin.

In Beijing, Hoy won gold in the sprint, the keirin and the team sprint to help Britain to seven gold medals from the 10 finals.

In Beijing the men raced seven finals in the individual and team sprint, the individual and team pursuit, the points race, Madison and keirin.
 

British Cycling performance director Dave Brailsford approves of the suggested changes.
 

He said: "It's always a real shame to lose some events, some in particular for example the Madison and individual pursuit are such classics.
 

"But I think it's exciting, innovative and it brings parity from a gender perspective. I like it."

Wiggins said: "It seems strange to scrap so many events but it's happened before.

"I'm disappointed because it's my event that is involved, but then I don't know how exciting a pursuit is to watch or not."


Related stories
August 2009: IOC need to take action on gender equality claim WSFF
May 2009: Pendleton angry at being denied chance to be as big as Hoy
February 2009: Jowell wants Olympic equality for London 2012
October 2008: Pendleton warns officials over London 2012 equality