The UCI Track World Cup is a series made up of four events held over the winter months. Glasgow kicks off this year’s events, with three days if racing on the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome built for the 2014 Commonwealth Games between Friday November 4 and Sunday November 6.
Constructed by world renowned designer, Ralph Schuermann, the track is made from Siberian pine and has capacity for 2000 spectators, with room for a further 2000 temporary seats during major events.
The other rounds of the UCI Track World Cup are in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands (November 11-13), Cali, Colombia (February 17-19) and Los Angeles, USA (February 25-26). They will be followed by the Track World Championships in Hong Kong (April 12-16).
The Glasgow World Cup is the first major track competition since the Rio Olympics in August and will see riders begin racing again the success or disappointment of the summer.
Some European riders tested their form at the recent European Championships in France but for many of the world’s best track riders, the Glasgow World Cup marks the start of their four-year build-up to the Tokyo Olympic Games in 2020.
Racing is spread out over three days, the first of which sees the team pursuit and team sprint for both the men and women, the men’s sprint and the women’s keirin.
Medal and ranking points will be up for grabs in the Women’s sprint, men’s keirin, men’s points, women’s Madison, men's scratch race and women's individual pursuit on Saturday. Sunday hosts the men’s individual pursuit, women’s team sprint, women’s scratch race, women’s omnium, men’s team sprint and men’s Madison. The women’s omnium will follow the new four-event format, held on one day of racing.
Bradley Wiggins will not be in action in the Great Britain team as he winds down his track career by riding the Gent Six later this month. However Great Britain has selected a young but promising team for their home World Cup with Olympian Katie Archibald leading the women’s squad. Andy Tennant will anchor the team pursuit squad and ride other events.
Cameron Meyer continues his comeback as part of the Australia team after riding the London Six Day, while veteran road rider Sylvain Chavanel is part of the French endurance squad. The USA has selected has a small women’s squad while Canada has sent a male quintet for the endurance events.
Kirsten Wild is the only entry from the Netherlands, while Italy, German, China and Belgium have selected strong women’s teams.
Cyclingnews will have full coverage of the Glasgow Track World Cup with daily reports, news and photographs.
