Katie Archibald, Neah Evans among first confirmed names for UCI Track Champions League

The first riders for this year’s UCI Track Champions League have been confirmed this week, with the likes of Katie Archibald and Neah Evans set to compete in the series, which starts its third edition on Saturday, October 21 in Mallorca.

Six medallists from the recent Track World Championships in Glasgow make up the names in the first announcement, with Archibald and Evans to be joined by sprinters Emma Finucane, Sophie Capewell, Martha Bayona and Ellesse Andrews.

The World Championships were the main qualifying event for this year’s Track Champions League, with the six named riders’ performances in Glasgow all earning them spots in the endurance and sprint competitions of this year’s series.

British track star Katie Archibald won the endurance title at the first ever Track Champions League in 2021, and will be looking to return to the top spot after finishing second in 2022.

“I’m really looking forward to the back-to-back racing which the UCI Track Champions League provides, and just like everybody else, I want to win,” Archibald said. “The best riders in the world will be taking part and every one of them has a realistic chance of becoming the champion, and I want to be in the mix.

“The series is vital for my Olympics preparations as well, as it’s an amazing opportunity for me to experiment with my tactics, take risks, and I always aim to be at my best for it.”

On the sprint side, it’s another Brit who will be a big favourite, as 2023 break-out rider and sprint world champion Emma Finucane heads to her second Track Champions League.

“I’m super excited to be back at the UCI Track Champions League,” she said. “Last year it really helped me step up by racing regularly against Olympic and UCI World Champions, and I’m especially looking forward to competing in front of a home crowd again in London on the 10th and 11th November.”

The series, which was launched in 2021, aims to create a simpler and easier to understand format of track racing, where excitement and entertainment are key, which means line-ups full of the very best talent in track cycling. The early running of the World Championships and the looming Paris Olympics mean this year’s series will be even more crucial, with riders keen to face off against their competition ahead of 2024.

With the first group of female riders confirmed, the first men’s names are expected to be unveiled soon, ahead of the series start in Mallorca.

UCI Track Champions League 2023 calendar

Round 1: Saturday 21 October, Velòdrom Illes Balears, Mallorca, Spain

Round 2: Saturday 28 October, Berlin Velodrom, Germany

Round 3: Saturday 4 November, Velodrome National de St-Quentin-en-Yvelines, France

Round 4: Friday 10 November, Lee Valley Velo Park, London, UK

Round 5 / Grand Finale: Saturday 11 November, Lee Valley Velo Park, London, UK

All rounds will be available to watch live and on-demand on GCN+.

Katie Archibald

• Team Ceratizit-WNT Pro Cycling
• Nationality United Kingdom
• Age 30
• UCI Wins 1
• Height 1.78m