Emily Nelson takes first gold medal for GB as Elia Viviani also claims title at 2019 UEC Track Championships
The first major track event of the winter is taking place in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands


Emily Nelson took the first gold medal for the British team at the 2019 UEC European Track Championships, as Elia Viviani also took a title on the opening day of racing.
Nelson rode a measured and perfectly executed women’s scratch race on Wednesday (October 16) in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands, taking the gold medal ahead of Shannon McCurley (Irl) in silver and Maria Martins (Por) in Bronze.
Italian sprinter Viviani made an emphatic return to the track after a successful road season, taking the gold medal in the elimination race.
>>> European Track Championships: race schedule and how to watch
Speaking after her victory, 22-year-old Nelson said: “I started my sprint a couple of laps earlier than I usually would, but I knew I wanted to lead out rather than try to get around other riders.
“I’m really happy with the jersey, especially with it being my first elite European title.”
The men’s team sprint squad fought hard in their event, but were kept off the top spot of the podium by the Dutch team.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
GB riders Ryan Owens, Jack Carlin, and Jason Kenny took the silver medal behind the Dutch outfit of Jeffrey Hoogland, Harrie Lavreysen and Roy van den Burg, with the French team taking bronze.
In the men’s elimination race, Elia Viviani took gold ahead of Bryan Coquard (Fra) who took silver and Poland’s Filip Prokopyszyn.
Britain’s Matt Walls, the defending champion, was edged out of the medals in the final laps and finished fourth.
Russia won gold in the women’s team sprint, Germany silver and Netherlands bronze.
>>> Mark Cavendish adds Ghent Six Day to his track comeback
In the team pursuits, the women’s squad looked dominant and easily qualified for the gold medal final on Thursday (October 17), while the men’s team struggled and will fight for the bronze medal against Germany on the second day.
The final day will also see Neah Evans race the women’s elimination event, Walls back in action for the men’s scratch race and both individual sprint competitions decided.
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
Alex Ballinger is editor of BikeBiz magazine, the leading publication for the UK cycle industry, and is the former digital news editor for CyclingWeekly.com. After gaining experience in local newsrooms, national newspapers and in digital journalism, Alex found his calling in cycling, first as a reporter, then as news editor responsible for Cycling Weekly's online news output, and now as the editor of BikeBiz. Since pro cycling first captured his heart during the 2010 Tour de France (specifically the Contador-Schleck battle) Alex covered three Tours de France, multiple editions of the Tour of Britain, and the World Championships, while both writing and video presenting for Cycling Weekly. He also specialises in fitness writing, often throwing himself into the deep end to help readers improve their own power numbers. Away from the desk, Alex can be found racing time trials, riding BMX and mountain bikes, or exploring off-road on his gravel bike. He’s also an avid gamer, and can usually be found buried in an eclectic selection of books.
-
Tom Pidcock’s Q36.5 receive Giro d’Italia wildcard invite along with Tudor Pro Cycling
Team Polti Visit Malta and VF Group BardianiCSF - Faizane also receive invitations from RCS
By Tom Thewlis Published
-
Be seen all year round with 35% off Magicshine bike lights in the Amazon Big Spring Sale
This is your last chance to seize a deal on some of the best bike lights with daylight running features. Act fast, as the sale ends at midnight tonight
By Matt Ischt-Barnard Published
-
UCI Track Champions League cancelled after four years
Commitment to track cycling series proves short-lived as it is axed prematurely
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Matthew Richardson breaks world record, UCI rules it out
Brit's flying 200m time voided after exiting the track during his effort
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Why hasn't GB sent a full squad to this year's only Track Nations Cup?
Eight riders will represent GB in Turkey this weekend, with the women's endurance squad left at home
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Matthew Richardson seals clean sweep on British National Track Championships debut
"Being part of the racing makes me feel British," says Richardson, who previously represented Australia
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'I completely blew my doors' - Katie Archibald wins first national track title in six years
Double Olympic champion enjoys "nice reset" on National Track Championships return
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'I almost didn't race' - Amateur with broken elbow wins gold medal at National Track Championships
Niall Monks defied doctor's orders to win his first national title
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'It's going to keep coming down' - Anna Morris breaks world record for a third time in the individual pursuit
World and European champion adds national title to her honours
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'Five or six WorldTour teams asked for my data' - Interest grows around world record breaker without a road team
Josh Charlton says there's "definitely interest" in his signature
By Tom Davidson Published