British Cycling’s performance director Stephen Park has voiced concern that the Track Champions League, which took place last month, could be a “distraction” for Olympic hopefuls.
The new UCI league format, which consisted of the same set of 64 riders racing over four rounds in cities across Europe, came to a climax last month in London, with Katie Archibald taking the women’s endurance crown.
With every round televised and with the UCI partnering Discovery Sports Events, which runs the league, they hope to raise the profile of track cycling and transform it from a minority interest, peaking at the Olympics, into a mainstream sport.
But Park, speaking at the event last month in London, admitted to reservations: “I’m a bit conflicted really, because from a pure Olympic perspective, it’s actually a distraction. Normally at this time in the Olympic cycle, we’d be looking for people to be in the build phase. We’re looking for them to be in the gym or recovering from the Games and then going into the gym.
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber ? Sign In
This story is from the {{IssueName}} edition of {{MagazineName}}.
Start your 7-day Magzter GOLD free trial to access thousands of curated premium stories, and 9,000+ magazines and newspapers.
Already a subscriber? Sign In
CLASSIC BIKE COLNAGO SUPER
A trailblazing bike immortalised by Merckx and Saronni
"Strava activities are the only way I know some of my friends are still alive"
...or that Bernard is doing his weekly shop
AN EXPERT'S TAKE ON... SADDLE SELECTION
Crucial advice to guide your next purchase
JUST A NUMB#R?
Approaching a landmark birthday, Charlie Graham-Dixon explores how ageing affects cycling performance and what can be done to stay ahead of the curve
RURAL PERIL
More UK cyclists are killed on rural lanes than on busy city streets. Rob Kemp investigates why and what can be done to keep us safe while riding in the countryside
A BLESSED RIDE THROUGH THE FOREST OF BOWLAND
Forgoing cloak, cassock and cross, Trevor Ward goes in search of the holy roads that helped make a Tour winner
Dame Sarah Storey claims road and 19th gold double
More success for Team GB's Paralympians in Paris, but Storey slams women's time trial course
Roglič matches Vuelta win record
Slovenian takes fourth Tour of Spain title after hunting down O'Connor's lead, writes Adam Becket
Williams crowned Tour of Britain champion
Welshman leads home resurgence at the stage race to crown an Israel-Premier Tech clean sweep, reports Tom Davidson in Felixstowe
CLASSIC BIKE CLAUD BUTLER OLYMPIC ROAD
Iconic British brand's Holdsworth-era road bike