Earlier this month, the world’s best track cyclists competed in the 2024 Tissot UCI Track World Championships in Ballerup (Denmark). They not only fought for rainbow jerseys, but also for a spot in the 2024 UCI Track Champions League as part of the series’ new qualifying system for its fourth edition.
Alongside the 2024 UCI World Champions and Continental Champions, riders qualify via the 2023 UCI World Championships, UCI Track Champions League and other results. Still more talented athletes will also receive wild card invitations, ensuring diversity.
The riders who make the cut will compete in two leagues – sprint and endurance – over five high-intensity rounds, to crown four overall winners in London (Great Britain) on 7 December.
From Paris to London, via Apeldoorn
The first battle commences in Paris (France) on 23 November. The prestigious Vélodrome National de Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines hosted the 2022 Tissot UCI Track World Championships, and the track cycling at the 2024 Paris Olympic and Paralympic Games where many world records fell earlier this year. With its steep banking and particularly wide track, it promises an action-packed opening night for the French fans.
Over the course of three hours, some 5,000 spectators will see the sprinters compete in the keirin and the individual sprint, while the endurance riders will face a short scratch race and the elimination race. The evening, will determine the first four leaders of the 2024 edition, who will have to defend their overall lead over the following two weeks, first in Apeldoorn (the Netherlands) for rounds two and three, then in London, with rounds four and five, the last of the weekend double-headers.
The grand finale will once again take place in London's iconic Lee Valley VeloPark. The velodrome was constructed specifically for the 2012 London Olympic Games and holds up to 6,000 spectators. Tickets for the final day are already sold out.
“We are delighted to see the return of the UCI Track Champions League to London’s Lee Valley VeloPark, with another sell-out crowd for the Grand Finale,” said Jonathan Day, Managing Events Director of British Cycling Events. “The British fans are some of the best in the world and we cannot wait to welcome spectators and riders to this fantastic event.”
Medallists from UCI Worlds join the line-up
The intense format allows the contenders only short recovery times between races. There are also exciting twists for the most seasoned riders and fans alike: for example, in the individual sprint, the heats are raced with three riders instead of two and the winners go directly through to the next round. This quick-fire direct-qualification format replaces the traditional ‘best of three’ racing.
“The 2024 Tissot UCI Track World Championships are one of the pinnacles of track cycling, alongside the Olympic Games, and it’s only right that medallists are honoured for their extraordinary efforts,” says Chris Ball, Vice President of Cycling Events at Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe. “A qualifying spot at the 2024 UCI Track Champions League is a worthy reward for their fantastic performances in Denmark and our five-round series will give fans even more chances to see the world’s best track cyclists battle it out on the boards of Europe.”
Among the riders who qualified for the UCI Track Champions League thanks to their performances in Ballerup are Mina Sato (JPN), who won gold in the women’s keirin and bronze in the women’s sprint, Katy Marchant (GBR), bronze medallist in the women’s keirin, Jeffrey Hoogland (NED), who claimed silver in the men’s sprint and Tobias Hansen (DEN), crowned in the men’s elimination and silver medallist in the men’s scratch race. The final start list will be announced soon.
Innovative coverage
The collaboration between the UCI and Warner Bros. Discovery Sports for the UCI Track Champions League ensures high-end coverage of the event. The format enjoyed immense success in its first three editions, bringing dozens of millions of viewers to the screen every season.
The UCI Track Champions League is known for connecting with audiences worldwide, bringing them all the action enhanced with live data. Through an interactive mobile app, viewers can follow the races, make predictions, vote in polls, and even have the chance to win prizes. The app contains rider profiles, facts and figures that enable fans to pick their favourites.