London Track World Championships rearranged to avoid rugby clash

The 2016 UCI Track World Championships in London will take place on the first weekend of March to avoid a clash with the RBS 6 Nations rugby tournament.

Many of the world’s best riders will gather at the Lee Valley VeloPark between March 2 and 6, a week after the dates initially set by the UCI.

But with a wider television coverage in mind, the sport’s governing body decided that moving the championships to a weekend without international rugby would be the best option.

UCI president, Brian Cookson, said: “The UCI, organisers and TV broadcasters worked hand in hand to find the best possible dates for our track flagship event, taking into account the international sporting calendar.

“One year after the UCI Track Cycling World Championships at the new Vélodrome National in Saint-Quentin, the best riders will compete in another world class venue, the Lee Valley VeloPark velodrome, London.

“We still have vivid memories of the track cycling raced there during the London 2012 Olympics, and last December’s UCI World Cup was also very successful. Next year’s UCI World Championships promise to be another great event.”

Tickets for the championships will reportedly go on sale in coming months, with spectators able to register their interest on the event’s website.

British Cycling’s cycle sport and membership director, Jonny Clay, said: “The appetite for top-level international racing has rarely been higher in this country and it is with great excitement that we confirm the dates for the 2016 UCI World Track Cycling Championships.

“Becoming world champion in any year is a landmark moment in an athlete’s career but in 2016, competitors in London will also be fighting for the chance to head to the Rio Olympics marked as the best in the world.

“Having the event in London allows the Great Britain Cycling Team to make a statement of intent to the world’s best ahead of Rio 2016, while also providing the British public with the opportunity to give the team their backing.”

Register your interest for tickets here.