The Velòdrom Illes Balears is the third of four venues to be confirmed for the 2023 season with Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines’ Vélodrome National hosting Round 3, and London’s Lee Valley VeloPark hosting Rounds 4 and 5.
The world’s greatest track cyclists will once again descend on Mallorca for high-octane wheel-to-wheel racing this year as Warner Bros. Discovery Sports Europe confirms Round 1 of the UCI Track Champions League will take place at the Velòdrom Illes Balears in 2023.
The venue – located in the city of Palma on the Spanish island of Mallorca – has been chosen to host the opening round of the third UCI Track Champions League season in a row, with the action taking place on Saturday 21st October.
The Velòdrom Illes Balears is the third venue to be unveiled for the 2023 season, with the Vélodrome National in Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines already confirmed as hosting Round 3 on Saturday 4th November and London’s Lee Valley VeloPark welcoming Rounds 4 and 5 (the Grand Finale) on Friday 10th and Saturday 11th November respectively. The date and location of Round 2 will be announced in the coming weeks.
Both previous visits to the Velòdrom Illes Balears have served up some incredible action, with Corbin Strong being the standout performer in 2021, winning both Men’s Endurance events, while big names such as Harrie Lavreysen, Katie Archibald and Mathilde Gros all triumphed there in 2022.
Tickets for Round 1 of the 2023 UCI Track Champions League in Mallorca will be available soon and fans can register their interest by clicking here.
Florian Pavia, Series Director of the UCI Track Champions League, said: “The start of a new season is always a special event and the Velòdrom Illes Balears has done us proud as the opening venue for the two previous campaigns. We have built a great relationship with the team who work at the velodrome, and for the third year in a row, I have no doubt our visit to Palma for the opening round will be an amazing event – and a real celebration of the sport.”
David Lappartient, UCI President, said: “The UCI Track Champions League will again get off to a prestigious start in 2023, with the first round taking place in Mallorca. In 2021 and 2022, the Velòdrom Illes Balears proved to be an ideal venue for the season opener, and I am delighted that this year it will once again set the tone for this exciting series of track racing.”
Joan Llaneras, seven-time UCI World Champion and two-time Olympic Champion, who leads the Sporting Direction of the Velòdrom Illes Ballears, said: “We’re incredibly proud to be hosting the start of the UCI Track Champions League for a third successive season. The event is one which we always look forward to – it’s on a completely different level to many other track cycling events – and having it commence at the Velòdrom Illes Balears, year after year, reaffirms our reputation as one of the world’s best venues.”
Sebastián Mora, former UCI World Champion and runner up in the Men’s Endurance competition in both 2021 and 2022, said: “I’m delighted the UCI Track Champions League will be starting in Mallorca for the third season in a row. The Velòdrom Illes Balears is such a fantastic venue and I am always so proud to race there in front of a passionate home crowd.
“The 2023 season is already shaping up to be the best one yet and I invite everyone to come along and enjoy the opening round. The packed crowd, huge production, and incredible racing will make for a real party atmosphere.”
ABOUT THE VELÒDROM ILLES BALEARS
Designed by German architect and track specialist, Ralph Schurmann, the Velòdrom Illes Balears opened in 2007 and can accommodate up to 6,000 fans. The velodrome is no stranger to hosting world-class track events having welcomed the UCI Track Cycling World Championships in 2007 as well as the opening rounds of the UCI Track Champions League in 2021 and 2022.
Located in the cycling paradise of Mallorca, top professional riders and committed amateurs from all over the world choose this Balearic island as a training venue due to its smooth roads, challenging climbs and breathtaking scenery.
