The Track Champions League is to begin on Saturday at Velodrom Illes Balears in Mallorca. , and it’s ambassador Chris Hoy hopes that it will bring the deserved attention to the sport which is always compared poorly to road cycling. Chris is a British six-time Olympic champion in the track category. Track racing had almost always flew under the radar for sports enthusiasts. Cycling’s governing body UCI partnered with Eurosport Events to elevate the game and enhance the engagement levels of the viewers to bring in more fans.
Chris played a key role in tailoring the Championship for TV. 72 of the best riders in the world will be competing with each over five weeks.
“I feel like the sport has always been the poor relation compared to road cycling. So this is what the sport needs, this will give it the boost to take it to the next level.”
He is sure that the after the TV program the sport will a get a great boost, but it is unfortunate that he has retired already.
“I think it will evolve and grow and become better and better but as a starting point I think it’s really exciting and I only wish I was still racing.”
The championship will serve as a platform for the players to improve their profiles, gain some recognition and for the players to earn a decent amount of money for their livelihood. The game enjoys huge popularity in Britain and Netherlands, but has almost no existence outside these two nations.
A boiled down format
Since the sport is unknown to many, and UCI’s current goal is to drive engagement levels, the committee has decided to adopt a boiled down format that would be easy for the viewers as well as for the journalist to cover and understand. Eighteen male and female riders will be seen trying their best to score points within 2 hours in the keirin disciplines and in the sprints. The highest scorers will be battling it out in the final elimination round on December 11.
The event will see many Olympic champions and World Champions taking part in the event. Although some of the favourites will be absent like British track riders Jason and Laura Kenny.
Highlights
- The Track Champions League will begin on Saturday.
- 72 track riders will be participating in the event.
- It is a joint venture between UCI and Eurosport Events.
