Formula 1 host Jake Humphrey to front BBC's London 2012 track cycling coverage

Jake Humphrey, best known for fronting BBC1’s Formula 1 coverage, will be the Olympic host broadcaster’s main presenter from the Olympic Velodrome at London 2012 next summer.

Following today’s announcement of the main presenters of the BBC’s coverage of London 2012, initial reaction on Twitter from both those within the sport and fans alike focused on why Jill Douglas had not been selected for the role.

The Scot has regularly hosted cycling coverage on both the BBC and ITV4, giving her solid experience in and knowledge of the sport.

It is understood that Douglas, who moved back to the BBC from Sky Sports in 2003 and also specialises in rugby union, will still be part of the BBC’s Olympic team, including reporting from within the technical area at the Velodrome.

Humphrey, aged 33, has been a rising star within BBC Sport for several years, having moved across from CBBC, via a stint on Radio 5 Live, to presenting shows including Football Focus and Match of the Day.

He has also hosted the BBC’s Superbowl coverage and co-presents the annual Sports Personality of the Year show, as well as working on the Beijing Olympics in 2008 and Commonwealth Games in 2010.

However, it is through anchoring BBC’s Formula 1 coverage over the past three seasons that Humphrey has become a household name as one of its star sports presenters.

After presenting coverage of the Singapore Grand Prix in September, he did find time to check up on events in Copenhagen the same day, teasing the thousands of Formula 1 fans who follow him on Twitter by tweeting, “And the World Champion is crowned. SO well deserved. Dominant, talented, hard working and THE BEST IN THE WORLD. His name? @MarkCavendish.”