All change as short-format competition to be launched

THE UCI will partner with broadcaster Eurosport to launch a new short-format competition designed to attract new audiences as part of a radical shake-up of the track cycling calendar.

The plans will see the World Championships moved from its February slot to October, while the World Cup, currently staged over six weekends through the winter, will be replaced by a Nations Cup made up of three events held between March and September.

In addition, the UCI will launch a TV-friendly UCI Track Cycling League – effectively cycling’s equivalent of Twenty20 cricket – developed alongside Eurosport and staged during the winter.

Starting in November next year, the competition will consist of six events per season, each lasting around two hours. There will be four competitions for men and women: the individual sprint, keirin, elimination race and scratch race.

The nine best-placed riders in the sprint and keirin, plus all medallists from the bunch races, at the preceding World Championships will gain selection for the league.

Moving the primary track competitions to the summer could create clashes with the more popular road events, while the Nations Cup also appears to bar the path for trade teams – such as the successful British outfit Huub-Wattbike – to continue racing on the track.

The Nations Cup hands more power to federations, but there will be a significant impact on Olympic qualification as the calendar gets a shake-up.

By moving the World Championships back in the calendar it now means there are only three more editions before the 2024 Paris Olympics, condensing the qualification period.