UCI Track Cycling World Championships Returns to London Arena
After a four-year hiatus, cycling fans are set for another thrilling seers of track racing at the Lee Valley VeloPark in London.
During March 2-6, the UCI track World Championships will return to the London velodrome, not only as a prestigious events of its own, but it will also serve as the final qualification opportunity for riders to qualify for the 2016 Olympic Games in Rio.
Great Britain dominated on this track at the 2012 Olympics, winning seven of ten gold medals. However, Event Director Jonny Clay admits that the 2016 UCI Track Cycling World Championships are unlikely to see such supremacy by one nation. “I think the [Great Britain] team is reasonably confident, but not expecting that level of dominance. In terms of the UCI Track Cycling World Championships, this may be the one leading into the Olympics, but all the teams treat it as just as important as any World Championships in terms of competition.”
The racing starts on 2 March with qualifying for the team pursuit for Men, the team sprints for Men and Women, and the Women’s individual pursuit. Four titles will be awarded on the first day – both the team sprints, the Women’s individual pursuit and the Men’s scratch race.
On day two, four more titles will be determined over two sessions, with the finals for the Men’s team pursuit and kilometre time trial, plus the Women’s scratch race and keirin.
Friday, 4 March, will be the first of two days offering three sessions of competition, and four more titles will be decided. Rainbow jerseys will be awarded in the Women’s 500m time trial and team pursuit as well as in the Men’s individual pursuit and points race. Friday will also see the start of the Men’s sprint and Omnium competitions.
Saturday features the busiest schedule of the Championships, with three titles awarded – in the Men’s Omnium and sprint, plus the Women’s points race. In addition, the Women’s sprint and Omnium get under way.
The World Championships conclude on Sunday with four titles contested: the Women’s sprint and Omnium plus the Men’s keirin and the traditional closer to the Championships, the Men’s Madison.
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