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UCI Track Champions League 2024 recap – One win from two for Archibald, Lavreysen crushes Richardson on his home track

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We're straight back into the Apeldoorn velodrome for round three of the UCI Track Champions League. Britain's Katie Archibald leads the Women's Endurance standings after finishing second in both the Scratch and Elimination races on Friday, while newly-annointed Brit Matthew Richardson will be looking to seize the Men's Sprint leader's jersey back from Dutch rival Harrie Lavreysen.

'Domination continues' - Archibald claims women's elimination win in Apeldoorn

Video credit: TNT Sports

That's it from Appeldoorn

Two more rounds to come. I'm excited for next weekend's double header at Lee Valley when we'll crown our winners on Saturday night. Two of those look pretty well nailed on but the others are far from settled. Whatever happens we're guaranteed some great racing. See you next Friday.

KATIE ARCHIBALD: I DIDN'T HAVE MY HEAD STRAIGHT FOR THE SCRATCH RACE

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Indecision caught me out. If you have the best legs you can overcome your mistakes, but that wasn't where I was. That much control is okay in the elimination, though. When I arrived at this series, the main people I was looking at were Anita, Lara Gillespie and Jessica Roberts. Anita came out hard, exactly as expected. We've seen more of the Irish team this week. Jess might pull something out of the bag at home next weekend.

overall standings after round 3

Men's Sprint

1. Harrie Lavreysen 106 points
2. Matthew Richardson 101
3. Cristian Ortega 84
4. Nicholas Paul 78
5. Leigh Hoffman 53

Women's Sprint

1. Alina Lysenko 115 points
2. Martha Bayona 86
3. Steffie Van Der Peet 74
4. Ellesse Andrews 73
5. Emma Finucane 66

Men's Endurance

1. Dylan Bibic 94 points
2. Tobias Hansen 85
3. Lindsay De Vylder 63
4. Will Tidball 58
5. Oscar Nilsson-Julien 58

Women's Endurance

1. Katie Archibald 98
2. Sarah Van Dam 71
3. Petra Sevcikova 67
4. Lara Gillespie 61
5. Anna Morris 57

men's Keirin Final - Matthew RICHARDSON Wins!

Jarrie Lavreysen
Matthew Richardson
Nicholas Paul
Leigh Hoffman
Cristian Ortega
Jeffrey Hoogland

Pressure on Richardson to get the win back, but will it be double Dutch delight? Lavreysen will have to come the long way as he's drawn 6th spot. As the derny departs, Hoogland in P1 slows things down which Hoffman takes as provocation to attack. At the bell Richardson is flying around everyone and gets himself a huge gap, soaring to another victory. Dutch disappointment, as they can do no better than 2nd, but it's Hoogland not Lavreysen. We're told the decision is pending, but Richardson was long clear so he should be fine. Are they looking at Hoogland's overtake? Lavreysen could benefit if his team-mate gets relegated. Indeed Hoogland is relegated as Lavreysen is bumped up to 3rd place for a couple more points.

Women's Keirin Final - Alina Lysenko Wins!

Miriam Vece
Ellesse Andrew
Alina Lysenko
Steffie Van Der Peet
Mathilde Gros
Stefany Cuadrado

Six warriors, from which there can be only one. Although the others will still take points, because it's a league, innit. Can Lysenko be the first rider to win five races in a row? Who's got the eye of the tiger? I'm reminded that Stefany Cuadrado is still just 18 years old. What a bright future she has ahead of her. Up come the lights, round comes the derny, bang goes the gun. Vece in P1, Lysenko in second, Andrews and Gros bring up the rear. We're being brought up to speed with four laps to go. Lysenko backs off Vece's wheel and Andrews comes round into first with two laps to go. The first real moves comes from Gros, just before the bell. Lysenko is in a good position, in no danger of being blocked here. She comes through to make it five. It shouldn't look that easy. I didn't see Van Der Peet coming up fast but she did well for second place, Gros in first, as Andrews went backwards. Cuadrado 4th, Vece 6th. Lysenko has one hand on the trophy before we've even made it to London.

Men's ELIMINATION Race - TobIAS Hansen Wins!

The final chance for riders to take a bite out of Dylan Bibic's lead. Will Oscar Nilsson-Julien of France and Kentish Town, Herne Hill and VCL, show his teeth? This one will be a shorter one, with just sixtreen riders left in the competition. Here we go then. There'll be a lot of focus, as well as a lot of soreness, here. The gun goes, then the bell. Watch your back, lads.

The rider to take the earliest bath is unfortunately Oscar, so that's a surprise and big disappointment for him. Next is his team-mate, Clement Petit. Zut alors. In 15th, and last to collect no points, is a Brit, Will Perrett. Pretty clear that one, but another shock, as he won this race last weekend. In 13th is Peter Moore, the scratch winner, showing tired legs. A fight for the next out, which is lost by Alex Vogel of Switzerland. It's getting faster and Heijnan is in trouble, but he saves himself at the expense of team-mate Roy Eefting. The Polish rider left it late but a big acceleration brings him to the front, as Heinan is sent packing in 10th. In 9th is Tim Wafler, as Prokopyszyn is riding an IP for some reason. You don't see that often.

Meanwhile Imhof is eliminated in 8th. Dylan Bibic makes a late recovery as Lindsay De Wylder says goodbye in 7th. In 6th place Keegan Hornblow who comes high but isn't fast enough to save himself as the Polish rider is returned to the fold. He's now fighting to stay in at the bottom and now he's out. Still a good result for him. The final four then, including the world champion. Tidball has been distanced and sits up to settle for 4th. Then there were three, the same three as last night. Some game playing, as they watch each other. Bibic sprints, Agoletto loses out. The bell goes as Bibic tries to get away, but can't. They take the bell and it's the closest finish we've had this season. That was fascinating and fun and the winner is the man in rainbows by less than a wheel.

men's keirin - heat 3

Harrie Lavreysen - Q
Jair Tjon En Fa
Kevin Quintero
Muhammad Firdaus
Cristian Ortega - Q
Vasilijus Lendel

A few in-form riders in this one, and Harrie Lavreysen. I'm going with the big man and Ortega. Not exactly out on a limb, but the younger Colombian has been so fast. Lavreysen has drawn position one and he looks around as the derny departs. He's not going to be first to move, but Quintero will move up, with Lendel joining him. Ortega gets involved at the bell and romps home before Lavreysen emerges from the pack and does enough to go through. Jo Rowsell wonders if there was tiredness on display there or if he was just being economical?

men's keirin - heat 2

Matthew Richardson - Q
Mikhail Yakovlev
Tayte Ryan
Leigh Hoffman -Q
Rayan Helal
Thomas Cornish

All the Australians then, and one ex-Aussie. No bigger smiles on display than on Tayte Ryan's face, while Yakovlev is stern as can be. The music's pumping and the chips look good. Richardson has drawn position one as they complete the last of their three laps with the derny. Richardson backs off a bit, and they bunch up behind him, briefly, before Yakovlev makes a committed effort with two laps to go. The rest look to Richardson to close, which he does. The early power from Yakovlev earns him nothing, while Richardson is able to ease off, once again, before the line. He goes through as winner, Hoffman in second place.

men's keirin - heat 1

Nicholas Paul - Q
Jeffrey Hoogland - Q
Sam Dakin
Mateusz Rudyk
Harry Ledingham-Horn
Luca Spiegel

Big focus on Jeffrey Hoogland here, who will want to advance to get another chance of riding in front of his home crowd. "No easy heats, but this is a hard one," says our man Rob in the booth. None of these riders made the semi-final of the sprint,Jo Rowsell observes, so they'll be a bit more rested. Nick Paul has P1, as they all wait for things to ramp up. Half a lap of derny and they'll already watching. Ledingham-Horn has nothing to lose and goes early. Dakin is coming round, while Paul is going round him. Hoogland appears at the bell and the crowd like that. It's Paul and it's Hoogland through to the final.

women's keirin - heat 3

Ellese Andrews - Q
Alina Lysenko - Q
Sophie Capewell
Hetty Van De Wouw
Alla Biletska

Last heat then, with Biletska the only rider you'd rule out from these five. The odds might be better with five but they seem worse when you assume, as you have to, that Lysenko will be one of the two. The leader is tucked down right behind the derny, saving every ounce of energy for when the racing starts. There goes the bike, three laps to go. Biletska waits, Andrews doesn't. Not a full gas effort from the Kiwi but positioning. They take the bell and they're all caught in traffic. Andrews is going all the way as speed opens the space, with legs fading sending riders backwards, while allowing Lysenko to take second place.

women's keirin - heat 2

Stefany Cuadrado - Q
Alessa-Catriona Propster
Shaane Fulton
Kristina Clona
Steffie Van Der Peet - Q
Martha Bayona

Can we get two Colombians through to the final? I wouldn't be shocked. Bayona in P1 on the derny, her team-mate taking up the rear, as Clona backs off right before the racing starts. Propster with an early acceleration, looking to go long but she's not committed to it. We seee a move from Cuadrado ahead of the bell, as Bayona is trying to come round. It's close at the line, but I think Cuadrado hung on, with Van Der Peet the other rider through. Bayona seems happy enough for her friend.

women's keirin - heat 1

Emma Finucane
Daniela Gaxiola
Katy Marchant
Miriam Vece - Q
Mathilde Gros - Q
Rebecca Petch

Good luck picking two from these six. Finucane has at least had a bit more rest, but she's smiling, ready to bounce back. It's keirin time! The derny pilot has a little trouble getting going but gets a laugh from the crowd, as he comes around and the riders take up their position. A bit of Genesis accompanies their rotations, waiting for the drop. No early attacks as the derny peels off, but here's Mathilde Gros with two laps to go. Vece comes up on her wheel, as Gaxiola is neck and neck with Vece. Finuncane makkes her move but doesn't have the legs. Gros is strong all the way and what a result for Miriam Vece. Through to the final. It looks like the extra load is working for her.

Women's elimination - Katie Archibald Wins!

It's time for everyone's favourite race. Can Lucy Benezet-Minns survive long enough to lift herself out of the basement. Can the likes of Lara Gillespie improve her overall position to challenge Archbald as we head to London? How are everyone's legs? No race tests them like the devil.

One neutral lap, then the bell, then an elimination. First out this time is Neah Evans, down the bottom, in last place. I'm worried about Lucy for the second on and it was close, but that's Lucy out unfortunately. Jess Roberts at the back has to move up and she comes around at the expense of Erin Creighton, the last rider to take no points. Into the points then and at the bottom of the track Cybele Schneider has nowhere to go, and just the one point for her. Roberts, who has been close a couple of times, is out in 14th place. The bell rings again and Mia Griffin saves herself but it's her team-mate Lara Gillespie who will be disappointed to go out in 13th.

Klinge of Denmark is caught at the bottom of the track as riders wave over the top of her to save themselves. The peloton is getting smaller and Mia Griffin is the last of the Irish contingent to go. This next one is close but it's Zayed of Egypt at the bottom out in 10th.

In 9th is Stenberg of Norway, last night's winner, who takes a few steps backwards as Archibald races on. Big points are coming, but not for Donnelly of Norward who has been playing with fire. Her heart was pounding at 200bpm.

Seven left and nowhere to hide for Nora Tveit of Norway, but Archbald just got away with it. And she does again, coming to the front at the line with Baleisyte out, as Morris survives. Sarah Van Dam looked save but the speed over the top of her was too much, as she wasn't far enough forward.
Four remaining on the track, with Sevckiova staying in by a whisker as Anna Morris goes. Down to three and the speed is high. It'll be Archibald v Acevedo for the win. As we were in Paris, can the Mexican get one on the board. It's close with 200m to go, and though Acevedo pulls close, within a bike length, she can't quite do it. Good win for Katie, but that's another great second place for the Mexican rider. She is one to watch. Archibald retains her stranglehold on the jersey, although she has seen two points taken off it, to cut her lead to 27.

men's sprint final - Harrie Lavreysen Wins!

The main event. The heavyweight battle. Can Matthew Richardson land a blow over the flying Dutchman on his home boards? The two top sprinters in the world have been in this position plenty of times before. It's whisper-quiet in the arena before the Dutch fans start clapping their hands. They know what they want. The concentration is palpable, as Lavreysen picks up the pace with two laps to go. He'll lead out with one lap to go, as Richardson goes high, but does he have the speed. He's fast, but not fast enough. It was close until it wasn't. Harrie Lavreysen has it! That gives Lavreysen a ten point lead but we still have a keirin to come.

women's sprint final - Alina Lysenko Wins!

First plays second. Can Lysenko make it four in a row? You wouldn't bet against her, but she's up against Colombian Martha Bayona who has the experience. Eight years separates these two. The whistle goes, and they roll away. Lysenko takes up the rear for this more traditional two rider match. Bayona moves up the track, then decides against the track stand move and rolls back down again.

A full lap goes by gingerly, as Lysenko continues to look forward. Bayona wants to force Lysenko through to the front but she's not having it. The bell goes and the race is on. Bayona has to lead this out and Lysenko is straight on her wheel, coming up and out and around earlier than you'd think but that was never in doubt. Twenty more points for the neutral athlete.

Men's Scratch Race - Peter Moore wins!

The male endurance riders line up in ranking order, with Bibic in baby blue and up the front. We get under way, down to 16 riders, with the withdrawl of Grant Koontz. They might have welcomed the later start for a bit more recovery after last night. Will this one be ridden like the women's, or will it be a bit more attacking? We're already seeing a few gaps, showing how fast they've come out of the blocks. Lots of looking around in these early laps, which could present an opportunity for someone/s. Approaching ten laps in and they're still swinging up, some spending less time in the wind than others. Oscar Nilsson-Julien's heart is already beating near the 190s, so it's not a relaxed one.

A third of the way through and still no attacks, but as I type that Claudio Imhof gets himself a gap. He could do with some hesistation but they're chasing him. It only takes a moment's pause and he's got some distance. It's a long way to go solo, though, even for a diesel such as Imhof.

One of the Dutch riders is looking to close, and five or so riders are maybe forming a collaboration. With 3km remaining Imhof swings up, which sees another attack straight away from France. It's Oscar, I think, plus Will Tidball, and one American. Now there's lots of groups littered across the track, with IMhof now off the back.

2km to go and the rest are looking to Bibic. The main trio are working well together and keeping the pace high in this move. The two chase groups are coming together but do they have time to catch Moore, Tidball and ONJ.

750m remaining and Tidball skips a turn. Clever riding from him as he thinks about the win, which looks all but assured. Hornblow is chasing at the bell, but the win will be bwtween these three. Peter Moore puts in a massive turn for final lap and a half. You expect the others to come round but the American hold on to take the win from Oscar Nilsson Julien, with Tidball in third. All three of those are delighted with that. Dylan Bibic finished 9th in the end.

How Are our men feeling tonight?

men's Sprint SEMI-FInal 2

Matthew Richardson
Jair Tjon En Fa
Rayan Helal

Over to you, Matthew Richardson. With the greatest respect to the other two, who were really impressive in their heats, you'd expect the British man to cruise to victory unless he takes his eye completely off the ball. The man from Nam takes up P1, with Helal in the middle, and Tjon En Fa isn't hanging about. It's a fast one, already a lap down. Richardson weaves about, backs off to give himself rushing room at the bell. Here he comes around to the front after turn two. He again has time to ease up before the line. Helal was coming but never really threatened. We have the fan favourite's final.

men's Sprint SEMI-FInal 1

Harrie Lavreysen
Leigh Hoffman
Cristian Ortega

Can Cristian Ortega dent Harrie's domination? Maybe one day, but it's hard to see it happening here, tonight. He'll be riding on confidence after last night's keirin win, so he can't hate this track. The Colombian has wheel lock on Lavreysen's wheel, who has the difficult job of riding from the middle. Ortega goes high, Hoffman heads off. Ortega has Lavreysen's wheel, and runs out of gas before the home straight. He knew he didn't have it so lives to fight another day, looking to the keirin. No doubt about the winner, Harrie Lavreysen.

women's Sprint SEMI-FInal 2

Miriam Vece
Martha Bayona
Steffie Van Der Peet

Can Vece spring another surprise? She looks happy enough just to be here. Should be another final for Bayona, you'd think. The Colombian takes up the rear and... she's down. A very very slow tumble at the bottom of the steepest part of the banking. Jo Wonders if that might have been a bit of something on the track, but there's going to be a restart. Maybe she didn't like the music? It was the Verve, now M83 rings out around the arena. Bayona gives her bike a once-over and they move back into position.

The second attempt starts just as slowly as the first before Van Der Peet decides to get going, while Vece waits at the back. The pressure is on the Colombian, who needs to advance to stay in touch overall. Van Der Peet looks over her shoulder, gives the pedals a stamp and gets her head down. In the back straight Bayona picks up speed and sails through to the final. Vece beat the local on the line there, so decent points for her.

women's Sprint SEMI-FInal 1

Katy Marchant
Alina Lysenko
Ellesse Andrews

Can anyone stop Alina Lysenko? If they can, it should be one of these two. Marchant at the front while Andrews sits right on the wheel of the overall leader. Can Marchant benefit? They all look pretty watchful and it's a fast start. It's three riders in line at the bell, and they're shoulder to shoulder with one bend remaining but Lysenko accelerates again through the middle, winning that one by a length and change. Wow.

news just in: GRANT KOONTZ DNS

ℹ❌ Grant Koontz (USA) - Non starter in Apeldoorn due to a wrist injury sustained in yesterday's crash.

womeN's Scratch race - Petra ŠEVČÍKOVÁ WINS!

The first appearance from the women's endurance riders, and it's a 7.5km scratch race. First across the line takes the win, but the higher you finish, the more points you'll pick up. Simples. We haven't seen many early attacks, but we have seen attacks in both races so far. The gun goes, and we're underway.

Penge CC's Lucy Benezet-Minns is rocking and rolling - looking to improve upon last night, but I'm really just hoping she's able to enjoy herself. Jo Rowsell gives a shout-out to my local velodrome at Herne Hill, which gives me an excuse to do the same. All together after five laps, with riders swinging off the front and no-one spending longer on the front than necessary to keep the pace high enough. A few riders peel off before taking a turn really, which is their prerogative.

Nine laps down and still no moves. Archibald opts to sit on the shoulder and keep vigilant watch on the front of the race. Almost halfway through the 30 laps and Rob wonders if fatigue is an issue here, while Jo says it's not a negative race, being made up of a long string at the bottom, with little bunching. Katie Archibald puts in an acceleration, not an attack, causing gaps to open up behind her, making it hard. This could turn into something. Archibald has three Irish riders with her but decides it isn't going to stick and drops back. Lucy Benezet-Minns tries to keep it going but it's not going to happen.

Ten laps to go brings a little more condensation of the competitors, as riders think about the finish and how they want to approach it. This has proven a good time to attack for riders in the last two races. Archibald won't be caught out, staying close to the front of affairs.
1.5km to go, and a long pull from Lucy, more than a lap before flicking the elbow and encouraging riders to pass. 500m to go and the Egyptian rider leads at the bell. It's going to be a sprint. Gillespie is in a great position, leading around the final turn but a late surge from Ševcikova carries her to victory. Crucially Sarah Van Dam finished third, while Archibald was down in 12th. I think Lucy dropped off the back after her hard final effort, coming in last.

endurance riders ready to go

As we're joined by viewers all around the world, the endurance stars are making their final preparations. Here's one of the highlights from last night. Can anyone make a dent in Katie Archibald's dominance?

Great Britain’s Archibald settles for distant second as Van Dam powers to women’s endurance win

Video credit: TNT Sports

Men’s sprint - Heat 6

Harrie Lavreysen (Netherlands)
Mateusz Rudyk (Poland)
Luca Spiegel (Germany)

The first sighting of Harrie Lavreysen in the leader's jersey of the year, and the third different costume for him, counting the rainbow skinsuit. Young Spiegel knows he's facing an uphill battle. Rudyk knows he can beat the gold bike but he'll have to ride to his best. A cagey start sees Lavreysen and Spiegel swap positions. 1.5 laps to go Rudyk tries his luck, gets half a wheel in front and Lavreysen begins to ride away. Easy does it, as the crowd roars their appreciation.

Men’s sprint - Heat 5

Matthew Richardson (Great Britain)
Sam Dakin (New Zealand)
Tayte Ryan (Australia)

It's the penultimate heat and one where Matthew Richardson will need to bounce back, having perhaps shown a tendency towards complacency last night. These three will know each other well - can the underdogs play it to their advantage? Two laps to go and it's the Kiwi with the lead, and still at the bell. Richardson comes round easily, easing off well before the line as Ryan was coming up fast. That was perhaps a little too confident from Richardson but he's safely through all the same.

Men’s sprint - Heat 4

Nicholas Paul (Trinidad & Tobago)
Muhammad Firdaus (Malaysia)
Jaïr Tjon En Fa (Suriname)

It's the Nicholas Paul heat. The TnT rider picked Richardson's pocket yesterday and claimed 32 points out of a possible 40, which means it would be a shock if he didn't beat both of these two. Paul is starting this one in the middle, so will be craning his neck in both directions. Tjon En Fa speeds up and ekes out a gap at the bell. He still leads at the 200m and though Paul accelerates he's left it too late. There's our shock, as Tjon En Fa sprung the surprise. He made it all happen for himself, advancing to the semis for the first time this season.

Men’s sprint - Heat 3

Cristian Ortega (Colombia)
Vasilijus Lendel (Lithuania)
Kevin Quintero (Colombia)

Another Colombian derby, and Ortega has established himself as the stronger of the pair in this competition, coming into this session in 4th place, with Quintero under performing last night to slip down to 12th. Another cagey start, this one, but it speeds up through the second lap as Quintero hits the front. Ortega looks to come from the back and shows his speed on the back straight after the bell, flying into the home straight for a comfortable win. His team-mates in track centre look happy with that.

Men’s sprint - Heat 2

Mikhail Yakovlev (Israel)
Rayan Helal (France)
Jeffrey Hoogland (Netherlands)

Another home hero, Jeffrey Hoogland, who has ridden just about to par so far, for 5th place overall. Yakovlev is more on the mercurial side - you never quite know which version of him you're going to get. Who will join Hoffman in the semis? Helal sneaks away as Hoogland keeps his eye on the Israeli. That may have been a missed opportunity for Helal, but now he goes and takes the bell with a big gap. It looks too much and he's caught them napping. It was a gift, but sometimes riders turn it down and the Frenchman did not. He's now guaranteed a top six, which will move him up the standings from his 6th place.

Men’s sprint - Heat 1

Leigh Hoffman (Australia)
Thomas Cornish (Australia)
Harry Ledingham-Horn (Great Britain)

First up, two Aussies and one double-barreled Brit. 6th plays 8th plays 14th. A little shout-out to Ledingham-Horn's sponsor, Brooks Cycles. I don't know if that's the one in Manchester or Welshpool, but I'm going to guess the former, given when BC is based. He's the improver of these three, and finds himself in an Australian sandwich, and they begin to motor as the bell rings. Ledingham-Horn tries to make the move but Hoffman holds on to his position. There's a bit of a deviation by Harry from his red line and I think that will cost him his place, because Cornish had to unclip his foot from the pedal. He did well to stay upright. The commissaires are indeed reviewing the footage.

Women’s sprint - Heat 6

Alessa-Catriona Propster (Germany)
Alina Lysenko (AIN)
Hetty Van De Wouw (Netherlands)

The last women's sprint heat brings us the first appearance in sky blue of the new sprint sensation, Alina Lysenko. She's won three out of four rounds so far, and hasn't put a pedal wrong in the last week. Can she do it two nights in a row? How much will last night have taken out of her? A slow start as Van De Wouw leads the trio up the track, and before coming to a complete halt she drifts down the boards again. Two laps to go she takes a look over her shoulder and winds it up. A cheer as she leads, takes the bell with Lysenko coming up on her, and having no problem to draw level and win by a bike length. No need for a photo to assess that one. Next up: The Men

Women’s Sprint - Heat 5

Stefany Cuadro (Colombia)
Martha Bayona (Colombia)
Mathilde Gros (France)

Two strong Colombians then, out of three very exciting riders. Hard to call, but Bayona's consistency makes her hard to beat. Gros needs a reasonable result after her null points in the kairin last night. No-one able to spring a surprise, and they're all together with Gros just leading at the bell. Bayona is on the wheel and accelerates to the line, timing her power put-down perfectly for the win. Another good start.

Women’s Sprint - Heat 4

Miriam Vece (Italy)
Alla Biletska (Ukraine)
Emma Finucane (Great Britain)

Unfortunately my internet connection cut out there, but my picture didn't, so in short, we've just seen the world champion knocked out in the first round by Miriam Vece who went early and made the most of it to advance for the first time this year.

Women’s Sprint - Heat 3

Rebecca Petch (New Zealand)
Ellesse Andrews (New Zealand)
Sophie Capewell (Great Britain)

The two other riders in the Kiwi team sprint trio now, as the bread in the sandwich. Eight points for team sprint gold medalest Capewell last night, while Andrews picked up two second places to surge up the table to fourth place. It's Capewell in the front and going long at the bell. Andrews looks to get around and is level round the final bend, then carries that momentum into the final straight for a clear win. Petch may have just taken second.

Women’s sprint - Heat 2

Shaane Fulton (Australia)
Steffie van der Peet (Netherlands)

This is our two-up, in the absence of Nicky Degrendele. A first home rider appearance and she'd be the favorite against Fulton, although the Kiwi is of course an Olympic silver medalist, in the team sprint in Paris. Van der Peet looks backwards while getting over her big gear, as Fulton looks to get the jump on her rival. She looks to use the height of the track and as the bell rings Fulton is on her tail and gaining but it's not enough, as Van der Peet accelerates to the line. She did what she needed to and is safely through to the semi-final.

Women’s sprint - Heat 1

Katy Marchant (Great Britain)
Kristina Clonan (Australia)
Daniela Gaxiola (Mexico)

Zips are up, cleats are tightened, it's the first of our women's sprint heats and Katy Marchant is the best placed of these three, although Kristina Clonan had a decent first night in the Netherlands too. Down they go then, with Marchant on the front. She leads the trio down the track then up then down again, as they look at each other, head across the banking and get up to speed. Clonan looks to dive down but has to get past Marchant as the best rings. Gaxiola looks out of it as Katy Marchant is holding on nicely. Good win for the consistent British rider.

This afternoon’s schedule

As last night, today.

Track Champions league 2024 ROund 3 schedule Apeldoorn

Image credit: Getty Images

APELDOORN PART DEUX

Good afternoon cycling fans, welcome to live coverage of the second half of the Apeldoorn weekend of UCI Track Champions League 2024.

If you missed last night’s action, the home riders had a pretty good time of it. Harrie Lavreysen was the sprint start of the evening, taking 37 points and delighting Dutch fans by displacing Matthew Richardson at the top of the men’s standings.

On the women’s side, our neutral athlete confirmed that her keirin victory in France was far from a fluke. Easily the fastest rider of the evening, Alina Lysenko enjoyed the perfect round to wrest the leader’s jersey off the shoulders of Emma Finucane. The British rider failed to make either of the finals and slipped down to third place, some 20 points behind Lysenko.

Katie Archibald, despite failing to win either scratch or elimination, came second in both and ended the night with a commanding 29 point lead at the top. She could conceivably afford to take the night off and would almost certainly still be in pole position in London.

The men’s endurance side was marred by a spectacular crash, early on in the elimination race. Only a few escaped entirely, but fortunately all riders walked away from it. When racing resumed some time later several were clearly still shaken up. By the time the dust had settled it did so over another good set of results for Dylan Bibic. The young Canadian’s first and second place means he leads the competition by 14 points from Denmark’s Tobias Hansen.

Quite a lot would need to go wrong for him to relinquish the jersey tonight, but he’s got a target on his back as well as a blue skinsuit. I’ve also been thinking we’re overdue for some Danish success in the Track Champions League. Could this be their year? We'll find out over the next four hours, starting in five.

Harrie Lavreysen, Uci Track Champions League

Image credit: Getty Images

overall standings after round 2

Men's Sprint

1. Harrie Lavreysen 71 points
2. Matthew Richardson 64
3. Nicholas Paul 58
4. Cristian Ortega 57
5. Jeffrey Hoogland 43

Women's Sprint

1. Alina Lysenko 75 points
2. Martha Bayona 60
3. Emma Finucane 55
4. Ellesse Andrews 51
5. Steffie Van Der Peet 47

Men's Endurance

1. Dylan Bibic 70 points
2. Tobias Hansen 56
3. Lindsay De Vylder 44
4. Oscar Nilsson-Julien 41
5. Blake Agnoletto 39

Women's Endurance

1. Katie Archibald 74
2. Sarah Van Dam 45
3. Anita Yvonne Stenberg 44
4. Lara Gillespie 41
5. Neah Evans 37

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