Two out of the four 2011-2012 track cycling World Cup rounds will be held in new venues this year, with Astana in Kazakhstan and the Olympic velodrome in London both hosting races in the next three months.
The Astana meet gets things moving today in the country’s new velodrome, with competitors beginning qualification races after trying out the boards earlier this week.
Following World Cup races in Cali, Colombia between December 1st and 3rd and in Beijing in China between January 13th and 15th, the Olympic venue in London will host the concluding round between February 17th and 19th.
Many of those aiming for gold next August will compete there, using the opportunity to familiarise themselves with the brand new track.
The overall series will be the second to last opportunity for riders to chase Olympic qualification, with the world championships in Melbourne, Australia capping things off between April 4th and 8th.
The UCI has secured backing for the World Cup and will partner with Samsung for the duration of the series. Each of the rounds will feature the ten Olympic events as well as a number of other races. This week, the extra events will be the 500 metres and the points race for women, and the individual pursuit, scratch and Madison for men.
Today’s programme features qualifying rounds for the men’s and women’s team pursuit, with other qualification races plus the men’s omnium starting tomorrow’s listed events. The men and women’s team sprint and team pursuit will also be held then, as well as the men’s scratch, women’s 500 metre time trial, team pursuit and points race.
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2011 – 2012 Track World Cup:
Round 1: Astana, Kazakhstan, November 4 – 6
Round 2: Cali, Colombia, December 1 – 3
Round 3: Beijing, China, January 13 – 15
Round 4: London, Britain, February 17 – 19