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UCI Track Champions League as it happened - Harrie Lavreysen and Alina Lysenko have big night on the boards

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The first round of the 2024 UCI Track Champions League delivered in spades, and now the world's elite reconvene on the boards of Apeldoorn to battle it out once more. Great Britain had a successful first round with Matthew Richardson and Emma Finucane leading the standings, but their rivals will be sure to step it up on Friday night under the lights. Stream all the action live on discovery+.

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

Video credit: TNT Sports

‘Never in doubt’ – Lavreysen produces dominant display to claim men’s sprint win

Video credit: TNT Sports

It's all to play for as we approach halfway

The Track Champions League is on fire. Here's hoping for another exciting night of racing tomorrow (without the crash.) Catch you tomorrow night.

UCI Track Champions League

UCI and WBD Sports confirm end of Track Champions League, plan to revitalise Track Nations Cup

24/03/2025 at 10:00

ALINA LYSENKO: THE TOUGHEST PART IS STILL AHEAD

"I’m really pleased to have won the two sprint events today, but the toughest part is still ahead. We’ve only completed two rounds, and there are three more to go!"

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

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

Video credit: TNT Sports

men's elimination - DYLAN BIBIC WINS!

We resume the men's elimination, with six riders having been eliminated. But how many will resume? Koontz is not with us, so that leaves eleven. Could have been worse. The gun goes and we're racing again. The bells begins the first elimination which sends Clement Petit back to track centre, not even fighting that one, happy to have his night done and dusted. The bell tolls again for Prokopyszn, who nearly made it back in but didn't. Nilsson Julien was playing with fire and he looked burned out but no elimination, a reprieve for him.

But not for Will Perrett who definitely took a knock earlier. 10th for him. Nine left, full gas, De Vylder battles Wafler and Wafler loses out. Bibic hangs on, but Eoy Eefting Bloom doesn't, at the bottom of the track. He had nowhere to go, but didn't want to go anywhere. The bell rings once more. Legs are hurting. De Wylder lunges but it's not enough and he's gone. Six left. A late bell gives an extra lap. ONJ isn't happy about something, but he's out like it or not. And he's not going. Until finally he is.

It's Heijnan's turn to disappear in 5th place, as he's looking around. Four remaining, including the rainbow jersey, but he's battling and survives at the expense of Will Tidball. No win this week. One more elimination then a sprint, as Bibic is set to stay in blue. Agnoletto gives his all but runs out of gas in third place. A sprint for the win, last lap of the night, as Bibic takes it on early. Hansen hangs on until he gives up the ghost and reverses the result from the scratch race. Another consistent night for Bibic who strengthens his grip on this competition. I'd still like to know what Oscar Nilsson-Julien was remonstrating about. Will be interesting to hear the quotes later on.

Men's KeiRin Final - CRISTIAN ORTEGA WINS!

Harrie Lavreysen
Matthew Richardson
Jair Tjon En Fa
Nicholas Paul
Mateusz Rudyk
Cristian Ortega

And what we hope will be the penultimate race of the night is the men's keirin final. Is Lavreysen, racing in orange, on his way into sky blue? The gun goes, the derny arrives. This isn't necessarily about Harrie v Matt, you know. Don't rule out Nicholas Paul, especially after his sprint semi-final. Richardson will need to do it from the back if he's going to keep the jersey, but Rudyk isn't hanging around. Lavreysen is looking for him with two to go. Now he takes it up. Richardson still in 4th at the bell. Here comes Ortega, round Lavreysen's right shoulder taking the win from the home favourite, celebrating with finger guns. What a result. We've got a decision pending but it should still go to Ortega. Can't see anything he might have done wrong. Richardson was well out of it. The final results shown has Ortega 1, Lavreysen 2, Paul 3, Richardson 4. So Lavreysen will lead by 7 points tomorrow night.

Women's KEirin Final - AlinA LYSENKO Wins!

Martha Bayona
Ellesse Andrews
Steffie van der Peet
Kristina Clona
Alina Lysenko

Katy Marchant

With the male endurance riders getting patched up, we resume with the women's keirin final. Hopefully they've managed to sort the track out and there's no splinters waiting to cause a puncture. In the absense of Emma Finuncane we're about to get a new women's sprint leader, but will it be Lysenko or Andrews or Bayona who she hands it over to? Bayona first behind the derny, Lysenko at the back, Andrews P2. But really any of these six could win this. The derny disappears with 750 to go, and the racing is on. Lysenko backs off a bit, waits, Andrews hops to the front. Lysenko moves as the bell rings, coming up on Andrews fast, comes round and wins right on time. "It's unbelievable" says Rob Hatch. Two from two, three from four. The new leader of the Track Champions League is a debutant.

OSCAR NILSSON-JULIEN - ONE GUY AT THE FRONT PUSHED THE LIMITS

"Everyone wants to win and one guy wanted to win a bit too much. The safest place to be is at the front. Hopefully it doesn't happen again."

HUge crash!

All but five riders taken out by that. Bibic was one of them who stayed upright, and Oscar Nilsson Julien another I spotted. The world champion was down but he is back up. That's going to take some sorting out, and there'll be some sore bodies, that's for sure. Will they all be able to carry on? It will be a miracle if they can, but they do all seem to be walking, which is the main thing. Grant Koontz is holding his wrist. The track looks to have taken almost as much of a beating. I hope they've got enough sandpaper.

With everyone seemingly okay enough , we're given a replay and it's the sound that gets you, along with the bits of bike flying everywhere. There's no point even trying to work out who was at fault.

Men's Elimination -

The final endurance race of the night then, sees the men line up under cover of darkness. If he doesn't do a bit better than last week it could make it interesting going into tomorrow, although it's hard to see him losing that light blue jersey. I'd like to see Nilsson-Julien repeat the performance he put in at home. The gun goes, then the first bell. Who wil go out first, because someone has to. At the back of the bunch it's almost a Dutch rider boxed in but Imhof who leaves us first. Out second is Kiwi Hornblow, who is high up the track but not far enough forward. Last to pick up no points is the USA's Peter Moore who is right at the bottom. He's not moving up from the basement tonight. 68 looks fragile but he saves himse at the expense of another Swiss rider, Alex Fogel...

Men's keirin - heat 3

Matthew Richardson - Q
Leigh Hoffman
Mateusz Rudyk - Q
Kevin Quintero
Harry Ledingham-Horn
Vasilijus Lendel

Will the riders to make up the final places be the two we expect or will someone like Rudyk spoil a party? Lithuanian Lendel in P1 as the derny raises the tempo. Richardson will have to do it from 4th place if he's going to, with a bit of pressure on those broad shoulders. The derny disappears, and Richardson looks right at his compatriot, as Ledingham Horn comes up. Richardson hits the front to make sure. Who is going with him? Rudyk, who was similarly in plenty of space for second. Quintero had nothing much to offer.

Men's keirin - heat 2

Harrie Lavreysen - Q
Mikhail Yakovlev
Cristian Ortega - Q
Rayan Helal
Thomas Cornish
Luca Spiegal

All eyes on big Harrie then, in the virtual overall lead, but you'd think he'd need to at least make the final to stay there. Can Cristian Ortega sneak into the final? An extra lap from the derny and we're off, as the riders get into formation. Lavreysen has drawn position six, Ortega P1. Lavreysen makes an early move, all the way with two laps to go. Spiegel fights to the front, and Harrie is dropping into traffic with it all to do. Ortega hits the front and in clear air, while Lavreysen goes from control, to trouble, to survival. Well played Ortega.

Men's keirin - heat 1

Jair Tjon En Fa - Q
Nicholas Paul - Q

My internet connection went down there, so forgive the lack of detail. Tayte Ryan went early, too early as it turned out and he faded. The two to go through were Tjon En Fa and Nicholas Paul, who continues his impressive run with a late late move. That's confidence for you.

women's Keirin - heat 3

Ellesse Andrews - Q
Emma Finucane
Kristina Clonan - Q
Hetty Van De Wouw
Stefany Cuadrado
Shaane Fulton

Olympic and World Champion, wearing the league leader's jersey for now. Will it go to status or could Stefany Cuadrado make the most of her straight line acceleration? Clonan draws the short straw, position one, with the home rider at the back of this sextet. Andrews takes it up early, Finucane at the back at the bell, but she's moving up in the last lap and she runs out of room. She again fails to make the final, as Andrews is back on top form. Kristina Clonan the second rider through. Finucane will give up the league lead tonight.

women's Keirin - heat 2

Steffie Van Der Peet - Q
Sophie Capewell
Alina Lysenko - Q
Alessa-Catriona Propster
Alla Biletska

Two from five in this one, then. And it should be Capewell and Lysenko based on form, but don't rule out the home rider or the German. Biletska is the only rider it's hard to see making the top two. A slight delay as Capewell doesn't seem too confident with her holder, but she settles down. Here comes the little chap on the electric scrambler, with Capewell on the front and Lysenko at the back. Will the rest wait for her before they try anything, or will someone look to take advantage of that five bike distance? The derny peels away and they are indeed looking for Lysenko. The home fans want Van der Peet to do something. Propster comes to the front but hesitates. They bunch, as Lysenko comes around and wins again with little trouble. It might have been Biletska in second, who timed her surge around the outside well, but Van Der Peet it is, according to the timers, and it's confirmed by the photo.

women's Keirin - heat 1

Martha Bayona - Q
Daniel Gaxiola
Katy Marchant - Q
Mathilde Gros
Miriam Vece
Rebecca Petch

A second swing for the sprinter and the first of six of these heats for both men and women. Martha Bayona is a big favourite here, but don't rule out either Marchant or Gros. Two have to go through. Here comes the derny and off we go. Three laps to get up to speed and no changing position before that. Bayona on the electric bike's wheel, Petch on hers, Vece bringing up the rear. Gaps open up, looks are made, time to go sprinting. Gros is the first to put her head in the wind, Marchant follows, as does Gaxiola. Bayona is waiting. They take the bell with Bayona on her way, and Marchant pushing on. It's easy for her and Bayona, who make sure they both qualify.

women's elimination - Anita Stenberg Wins!

The devil takes the hindmost. There's no hiding in this most brutal of events, which gets rid of the last rider in the bunch every two laps. Can Lucy Benezet-Minns, of Ireland and Penge, improve upon her result last week. We're all rooting for you, Lucy. Archibald is the firmest of favourites. In this discipline she has no equal. Off we go with one organising lap, then they get the gun. The first bell brings a fight for position, and a bunching, but who will survive. Not Lucy again, unfortunately. Zero points for her. Second out is Acevedo of Mexico who put herself in trouble at the bottom of the track. The last null points is another Irish rider, Erin Creighton, whose back wheel just protruded more than she'd like from the pack. Into the points as Archibald comes round the outside, only just out of the danger zone and a clear elimination for Schneider of Switzerland. 41, Jessica Roberts looks vulnerable but she comes round and knocks out Mia Griffin, after a good result in the scratch.

Just Gillespie left of Ireland. Zayed is next out unluckily in 13th place. In 12th it's Van Dam, the winner of the scratch, who ran out of room in a tightly packed bunch. Did the Kiwi survive there? She did, at the expense of Klinge in 11th. We have ten left, and more room on track. Even more now as Neah Evans rides her luck too long down the bottom, the first British rider out. In 9th place another Brit, Jess Roberts whose legs desert her as she's going at 185bpm. Eight remain, the bell goes again, Archibald hits the front. Off the back is Baleisyte as Donnelly saves herself once more. Impressive stuff. Seven riders left now and another British elimination in Anna Morris who looked fine until she didn't. Finishing sixth finally is Donnelly, who comes down the bottom and it costs her her place. Look at that 204bpm heart rate. Whoof.

Four more bells, five remain. Sevickova looked in all sorts of trouble but she accelerates and stays in the game at the expense of Tveit of Norway, but only for two more laps. The Czech goes long before the line. Three left, and it's the strongest riders at this discipline, who are a bit confused, Gillespie sits up prematurely, Stenberg thinks she's sprinting for the win, but she's not. Now she is, against Archibald. Archibald leads but can she hang on? Not this time. It's victory for Stenberg as Archibald has a winless night while extending her overall lead.

men's Sprint final - HARRIE Lavreysen Wins!

A sixteen time world champion against a born racer. Can Paul silence this crowd? They're here to cheer their hero. Paul in gloves, Lavreysen with bare fists around his bars rolls away. Lavreysen is obviously the favourite but he will have drawn so much confidence from that semi. Lavreysen looks to push on, doesn't want the pace to drop too low. Paul is high at the bell, there's little between them and the T&T rider can't do anything about the sheer force of the rainbow stripes. A first win on home track in the Track Champions League for Harrie Lavreysen. With the keirin to come he's in the virtual overall lead. Next up is the women's elimination.

women's Sprint final - ALINA LYSENKO WINS!

The stage is set. It's a second final in row for Alina Lysenko and a first of the season for Olympic Champion Ellesse Andrews. The Kiwi looks cool, but the neutral athlete is steely. Andrews guides around the skirt from the front at a reasonable pace, gradually getting us up to speed. 1.5 laps to go and now the speed comes. Andrews takes the bell in the middle of the track, but Lysenko is in the slipstream and coming round... all the way to the win. What a scalp for this young rider. Andrews stretches out a hand in congratulations. The debutante is here to win, not merely make up the numbers.

Men's scratch race

The first event for the men's endurance riders, and they've had a bit of a wait. The camera's are focussed on Oscar Nilsson-Julien of France, VCL, Groupama FDJ development squad and Herne Hill. He's breathing down the next of Dylan Bibic, who's dad, I noticed started following me on Twitter last week. Not that I still use that platform. Bluesky all the way. No moves inside the first three, but it's another fast start. Really very strung out and the gaps between wheels aren't chocolate bar sized like in a pursuit. Bibic takes his turn but we're all together, taking very short goes on the front.

The Dutch riders looking to stay together and help each other it seems, as we approach 1/3 distance, with Bibic at the back. Now wouldn't be a bad time for someone to attack, but we have better knowledge than they do. No-one wants to do 16 laps on their own, so a move... and Will Perrett tries but quickly aborts. Big tease.

A bit of a gap appears with 13 to go but they don't get organised and it closes just as quickly. Now we've got a move and it's a Dutch move, Philip Heijnan, which is igniting the race. It's all blowing up and Bibic has to be alert to it. The Danish rider looked good in the lead but he swung up and it's all back together with 6 laps left and inevitably they're all thinking about the sprint finish. Still time for a late attack, but no.

They bunch up and wind up the gears, watching each other. Bibic is in traffic, very much boxed in. Here comes a Belgian taking the bell, as Bibic comes round the outside and makes up places but it's the win for Tobias Hansen. Bibic managed second place, so he can be content with that after looking to be in trouble. Lyndsay De Vyler was in third, so Bibic still very much in control. Nilsson-Julien down in 10th so a bit of ground to make up for him.

men's sprint semi-final 2

Harrie Lavreysen
Jeffrey Hoogland
Cristian Ortega

An opportunity for the five-time Olympic champion then, with his friend and team-mate for company, but don't discount Ortega. He's no mug. How will they play this? Hoogland chooses to lay off the back. To give himself rushing room? Lavreysen and Ortega lean towards a track stand but think better, and they up the pace. Lavreysen taking it from the front, forced to. Ortega is ont he wheel at the bell. into the home straight and the Colombian is out of it where it's between the two Dutch riders. Hoogland rarely wins that match-up and doesn't today.

men's sprint semi-final 1

Matthew Richardson
Leigh Hoffman
Nicholas Paul

Richardson up against a former team-mate, one who's looked very fast this past week, and Nicholas Paul who isn't going to roll over either. Richardson has had the closest of shaves from the look of his chin. Does that bear mentioning? Is it aero? Cagey start again, as we've seen several times from the British rider, who goes all the way up the track. He looks to initiate a track stand but Paul isn't having any of it. He pounces and suddenly is into a massive lead. One lap to go and they're not bringing him back are they? Nicholas Paul into the final! Wow. No respect shown there. Quite right.

women's sprint semi-final 2

Steffie Van Der Peet
Alina Lysenko
Mathilde Gros

Gros with an opportunity to get things going, but Lysenko, the newcomer, has to be the rider to beat. Steffie Van Der Peet will want to draw on every member of this live audience. Van Der Peet surprises even herself by going early with a lap and a half to go. She's on her way at the 200 but here comes Lysenko and she's got it on the line. She left it late, but it was Lavreysen-esque. Classy from the 21 year-old and with another guaranteed top 2. She could be taking the jersey you know.

women's sprint semi-final 1

Ellesse Andrews
Emma Finucane
Martha Bayona

This is a huge semi-final, with three of the biggest names in the discipline going up against each other. It's come about because Andrews is a bit off the pace, but still. Can Finucane put one hand on the jersey here? She wants to be on the front, and would rather watch than be watched. She hovers around the blue while Andrews winds it up behind in the black jersey. They take the bell with Andrews accelerating and looking good but she has to hold on. She does. A big improvement on last weeked... if it stands. The decision is again pending. Has her little dip down hampered Finucane on the inside and affected the result? This one looks like it might have. It's taking longer but Andrews survives.

19.18 WOMEn'S SCRATCH RACE - TOP 5

1. Sarah van Dam
2. Katie Archibald
3. Mia Griffin

Anita Stenberg down in 16th.

19.16 women's scratch race - Sarah Van dam WINS!

A reminder that Archibald's perfect start means she leads from Yareli Acevedo by 13 points. Stenberg is three back in 3rd, with four riders on 21 points. How will the Irish get on, namely Lara Gillespie and Penge CC's Lucy Benezet-Minns. Did I mention she's from my club? Thirty laps of racing, we remind you, which is the preference of most riders, with no moves inside the first three of them. Archibald will be watched even more than usual. One sixth in and it looks pretty fast, no-one spending long on the front, but every rider stomping on the pedals to keep it strung out and high. Very little time to get back at the end of the string. Ten laps in and we're almost in colour/nation order still with no attacks, although there was a brief gap behind an Irish rider but quickly closed.

Who's going to be brave enough to make the first move? A gap behind six riders has materialised, and that's interesting. Two Irish riders are there, and the gap's not growing but it's not being closed either. The Irish behind won't help the chase, and the gap grows. How committed are they up the road? Archibald sees that they're not set on it, and that is that with 13 laps to go. Splayed across the track as everone looks behind and Sarah Van Dam senses and seizes on the hesitation. She leads with 9 to go, with almost half a lap.

A good lead for the Canadian. Two kilometres to go and Archibald is on the front of the chase, while Van Dam is looking good for the win. Six laps left and she's going full gas, while behind there's hesitation. Can she take a lap. They're winding it up in the bunch but I think it's far too late. They're riding for second place. Three laps to go and behind they're playing out for the sprint. She might catch them before the finish. Van Dam takes the bell and is on her victory lap, cruising to the win. Where will the points go behind? Archibald makes sure of second place. Third went to Mia Griffin of Ireland.

19.03 women's endurance - recap

As we're joined by the non-digital audiences, ahead of the first endurance race of the night, time for a little look back at last Saturday. Who else but Katie Archibald?

Archibald wins elimination race to complete ‘magnificent’ opening night

Video credit: TNT Sports

18.58 Men's Sprint Semi-Finalists

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

All ready for prime time.

18.54 Men’s sprint - Heat 6

Matthew Richardson (Great Britain)
Mikhail Yakovlev (Israel)
Rayan Helal (France)

The men's sprint leader, who did the double last Saturday, looking cool as the proverbial. The mirrored visor certainly helps in that respect. It's the slowest start we've seen this evening, and we're almost at a track standstill. Richardson is in the middle of them, down the bottom of the track. "He's going to get neck ache if this carries on" says Rob Hatch. Yakovlev we know can turn it on. Things start to speed up with two to go as Helal gets over the gears and Yakovlel goes high. Richardson edges edges ahead, and though he's pushed reasonably close it's not that close. The commissaires are having a look apparently, though we don't know at what. Did Richardson stay above the red line? He seemed to maybe dip below but it didn't affect Helal so the result stands. He's through, and we have our semi-finalists.

18.50 Men’s sprint - Heat 5

Harrie Lavreysen (Netherlands)
Tayte Ryan (Australia)
Mateusz Rudyk (Poland)

Time for The Man. The rainbows, and the only rider here tonight with any pressure on him. What a scalp he would be for Tayte Ryan. We ride onboard Lavreysen, as Ryan goes long and up the track, swinging down as Harrie and Rudyk are looking at each other. Can Harrie Lavreysen do enough to close it? It's so close but by a whisker the job is done. That would have been a disaster for the producers, as most of the TV audience hasn't even switched on their tellies yet. Credit to the 18 year-old for making him work for it.

18.45 Men’s sprint - Heat 4

Nicholas Paul (Trinidad & Tobago)
Kevin Quintero (Colombia)
Muhammad Firdaus (Malaysia)

We move on to the second half of the draw, and it's a tough one to call. Nicholas Paul looked every bit as fab as we'd hoped last Saturday, riding to third place on the night, but we know what Quintero can do on the bike. Ready to go, with Firdaus watching his six, Quintero the filling. Quintero moves to the front with two laps remaining, Paul's move coming as they approach the bell. It's going to be between these two but Paul sails past, and though he can't swing down in front he doesn't need to lunge for the line either. 77.7kph we're shown, for 1700 watts. Absolutely rapid.

18.42 Men’s sprint - Heat 3

Sam Dakin (New Zealand)
Cristian Ortega (Colombia)
Luca Spiegel (Germany)

Fourth place Ortega then, to take on the reliable Dakin, and bottom placed Spiegel, with work to do. Dakin at the front and going early, but Ortega is relaxed and coming through the middle at the bell. Spiegel tries to make up ground but he can't match the speed of Cristian Ortega. Never really in doubt. Martha Bayona looks on and looks very happy with that result and performance.

18.38 Men’s sprint - Heat 2

Jaïr Tjon En Fa (Suriname)
Jeffrey Hoogland (Netherlands)
Harry Ledingham-Horn (Great Britain)

A big roar should echo around this (not quite full) arena for the great and very well decorated Jeffrey Hoogland, 31 years old, a ten-time World Champion, and two-time Olympic gold medalist, in the team sprint. The British rider eases away first, while Tjon En Far ambles up the track. Ledingham-Horn is looking around at the man behind him, as they use all the timber available to them. Tjon En Fa gets the speed up but no-one likes it longer than Hoogland who leads at the last bend and even as Ledingham horn pushes it close, it's the home rider with his fist in the air.

18.34 Men’s sprint - Heat 1

Vasilijus Lendel (Lithuania)
Leigh Hoffman (Australia)
Thomas Cornish (Australia)

Onto the men then, with three experienced sprinters, none of whom are particularly troubling the scorers after one week of racing. Leigh Hoffman had the best first week, however, and is in 6th place overall with 16 points. Can Lendel land a punch against the Aussies? It's Hoffman who takes it on first, leading but looking round at the bell. Lots of weaving, Lendel long out of it, and Cornish can't touch Hoffman. It was a 10.1s 200 metres. Pretty rapid.

Men’s sprint standings AFTER WEEK 1

1. Matthew Richardson 40 points
2. Harrie Lavreysen 34
3. Nicholas Paul 26
4. Cristian Ortega 24
5. Jeffrey Hoogland 19

women's sprint semi-finalists

Emma Finucane
Ellesse Andrews
Alina Lysenko
Martha Bayona
Mathilde Gros
Steffie Van Der Peet

No upsets so far then, as we turn to the men.

Women’s sprint - Heat 6

Emma Finucane (Great Britain)
Alessa-Catriona Propster (Germany)

The last heat and we're without Nicky Degrendele, who has had to withdraw from the whole event with a hand injurt. That's a shame, but means we get a very different, more traditional dynamic for the league leader and last year's most impressive rider. Finucane is controlling things for the first lap and a half but comes through right on the bell and puts daylight between her and her rival, sailing through for a job very well done. 65kph, and 11 seconds dead for the final 200. That was very very fast.

Women’s Sprint - Heat 5

Sophie Capewell (Great Britain)
Alina Lysenko (AIN)
Stefany Cuadrado (Colombia)

Time for the surprise of last Saturday, Alina Lysenko, who won the keirin and showed her fearlessness. Young Stefany Cuadro is similarly relaxed and confident as she receives a warm reception from the Dutch crowd. Can Lysenko do it two nights in a row? There's a bit more pressure on her than last week, but still not tonnes. Cuadro is taking it on early, and it may be too early, as Capewell comes through the middle, with Lysenko round the outside. Lysenko is first across the line by a good distance, but decision pending comes up. She seems to have come down a little, or was it Cuadrado coming up. Certainly there was some squeezing.

Women’s Sprint - Heat 4

Martha Bayona (Colombia)
Daniela Gaxiola (Mexico)
Hetty Van De Wouw (Netherlands)

Another Dutch rider and our first south Americans. She's second favourite here, with Bayona 3rd after one weekend. She found great rhythm in Saint-Quentin, and she's looking steady so far, up the banking with 2 to go, as Van de Wouw is allowed through, swinging down at the bell. Bayona in the middle, accelerating strongly and although it's tight the Colombian is solid. 129 RPM and over 1000 watts she put out there.

18.14 Women’s Sprint - Heat 3

Steffie van der Peet (Netherlands)
Miriam Vece (Italy)
Alla Biletska (Ukraine)

The first Dutch ride of the night and it's Steffie van der Peet, in 4th place overall, who will be the favourite to advance. She's stuck in the middle as Biletska wheels along the blue and then rises up the track to give up the lead and put Van der Peet in the front. The cagiest start of the three but the speed is starting to pick up with 2 to go. At the bell the home rider is looking to lead it out. Vece is coming round the outside but a big cheer as Van der Peet holds off. She knows the track, where to put down the power, and it shows.

18.09 Women’s sprint - Heat 2

Kristina Clonan (Australia)
Mathilde Gros (France)
Shaane Fulton (New Zealand)

The remaining Kiwi this time,, with the French rider the best placed in 5th place overall, thanks to a set of solid performances last weekend at home. Clonan zaps down the banking to take first place, and force Gros into the awkward middle spot. Fulton looks to go long, coming round into the lead at the bell. Gros has to come over the top if she's going to do it. Rob Hatch says she needs a miracle, but she looks to have got it on the line. And indeed she's named the winner. Well played.

18.06 Women’s sprint - Heat 1

Ellesse Andrews (New Zealand)
Katy Marchant (Great Britain)
Rebecca Petch (New Zealand)

We start we two Kiwis, including last year's winner, the Olympic champion, and it's a fast start this one. Marchant in the middle, takes the bell with a gap to close, and she can't do it. Ellesse Andrews holds on, even as she's pushed by Marchant, for what is probably her best ride so far this year.

18.04 Tonight's running order

Just like last Saturday we’ll be spending the next 60 minutes in the company of the sprinters, as the men and women of short distance speed sort themselves out in their respective three-up heats.

(As a Shakespearean fourth wall-breaking aside, and I don’t know if anyone else noticed, and I’m sure it was in the media pack that I haven’t read… closely enough, but the reason for the increase from 16 riders per men’s and women’s discipline must be so that the first round heats of the sprint and keirin are all equal numbers. 16 does not divide neatly by either three, or six, in the way 18 does. I know that’s not especially important, but I’m pleased I worked it out all by myself.)

Scratch / Women

Sprint / Women / Semi Finals

Sprint / Men / Semi Finals

Scratch / Men

Sprint / Women / Final

Sprint / Men / Final

Elimination / Women

Keirin / Women / First Round

Keirin / Men / First Round

Elimination / Men

Keirin / Women / Final

Keirin / Men / Final

So the same as last week. Not that anyone asked me, but I rather like this new standardised schedule.

18.00 SECONDS OUT, ROUND TWO

Good evening cycling fans, welcome to live coverage of the second night of the UCI Track Champions League 2024, coming to you from the Omnisport Apeldoorn, or Omnisportcentrum if you prefer, pretty much bang in the centre of (don’t you dare call it Holland) the Netherlands.

That means its home field advantage for Harrie Lavreysen, Steffie van der Peet, Jeffrey Hoogland, Hetty van de Wouw, Philip Heijnen and Roy Eefting-Bloem. And they’ll need it because they’re not currently in possession of any of the four TCL leader’s jerseys.

Three of them, in fact, are led by British riders, with only Harrie of Orange really within spitting distance of top spot.

"I believe I’ve proven that my form is solid," Lavreysen said yesterday "and I’m hoping to take it a step further this weekend. I’m definitely planning to give it my all. The UCI Track Champions League at home adds a positive excitement. A lot of fans will be there to watch me, and I’m hoping to show them some great performances. I don’t necessarily need to win, but more than anything, I want to demonstrate how great the UCI Track Champions League is."

Harrie Lavreysen

Image credit: Getty Images

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