After an incredibly popular inaugural season in 2021, the UCI’s shiny new event has now returned for a second year. Designed to reinvent track cycling by creating an exciting new format to increase fan engagement, the 2021 season was sadly somewhat disrupted by coronavirus-related cancellations and restrictions. Nonetheless, the events that could be held were extremely successful and fans are very excited to welcome back the fast-paced schedule and logical format combined with a party atmosphere.
A total of 72 riders from 25 nations compete across 5 rounds to determine who are the world’s best sprint and endurance riders. The competition format includes the fastest and most exciting disciplines: Sprint and Keirin for the Sprint Championship and Elimination and Scratch for the Endurance Championship.
- Sprint – heats have 3 riders, but the final sees 2 riders compete starting at the same start line. The race is 750 m, but only the final 200 m are timed meaning riders battle for position in early laps, but then it ramps up. The first rider across the finish line wins
- Keirin – riders compete in a sprint race of 600-700 m after tailing a pacing motorbike (derny) for the first 1,400 m. The derny increases in speed from 30 to 50 kph for men, and from 25 to 45 kph for women before peeling off and allowing the sprint to begin. The 2 fastest riders from each heat qualify for a 6-rider final
- Elimination race - during the race, one rider is eliminated at the end of every 2 laps where the last rider to cross the line is eliminated from the race until only one remains
- Scratch race - riders compete over 20 laps (5 km). Endurance cyclists aim to lap the field in order to stop the stronger sprinters from sprinting at the end of the race. First to cross the line wins
On Saturday 12 November, Round 1 took place at Palma Arena in Mallorca. It is fantastic to see the return of Katie Archibald after a very difficult year for her with personal loss and unexpected injuries. She gets to compete against her former teammate, Dame Laura Kenny. Perhaps the most exciting matchup is the incredible champion Harrie Lavreysen and the talented challenger Matthew Richardson. After the first round, Lavreysen just about leads Richardson 37-35.
You don’t have long to wait to find out what will happen next as Round 2 is on Saturday 19 November and will take place at Velodrom in Berlin, Germany. Tickets are still available and start at just EUR €20 for the most affordable seating category. There’s also a VIP experience available for €150 offering delicious food and drinks as well as access to the Track Centre Lounge with 360-degree views of the action!
After missing out on hosting last year as the venue was being used as a vaccination centre at the time, Vélodrome de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines in Montigny-le-Bretonneux in France will host Round 3 on Saturday 26 November. The venue will be the home of the track cycling competitions for the Paris 2024 Olympics and Paralympics, so this is the perfect opportunity to enjoy a sneak peek! Tickets for this UCI Track Champions League round start at EUR €15.
As was the case last year, London’s Lee Valley VeloPark will host the final 2 legs of the competition with Round 4 on Friday 2 December and Round 5 on Saturday 3 December. The party atmosphere is ramped up for these decisive rounds and, although some of the lowest price tickets have sold out, Round 4 still has Band D tickets available at GBP £40.25 which is fantastic value for money.
Take a look at all the remaining UCI Track Champions League events of 2023 here!