Mallorca holds a special place in the traveling circus that is the UCI Track Champions League. As the host venue for the opening rounds of both the 2021 and 2022 seasons, this is where debutants make their first mark and new rivalries are born.
Here are five of the best and most thrilling UCI Track Champions League moments seen at the Velòdrom Illes Balears to date:
Maggie Coles-Lyster gets off to a flyer
Round 1 of the very first UCI Track Champions League in 2021 saw the debut of the short 20-lap Scratch format, which meant there was no time to hesitate for the formidable Women’s Endurance field lining up for their first-ever race.
With the other favourites perhaps focusing too much on each other, Maggie Coles-Lyster was vigilant at the front and jumped into an early three-rider move. The trio worked well together and quickly gained half a lap while the bunch looked at each other to react.
Katie Archibald finally took control in the last five laps, and her extraordinary power slashed the break’s advantage, but it was too late by a matter of metres. Still ahead going into the final lap, Coles-Lyster left nothing to chance and led from the front. And that’s where she stayed, her companions unable to pass her in the gallop for the line where the Canadian enjoyed a victory that was equal parts smart and strong.
Kelsey Mitchell times her charge to perfection
Olympic Sprint champion Kelsey Mitchell was by no means an underdog going into the first Women’s Keirin final in 2021, but the competition was fierce with UCI World Champion Lea Friedrich and her star German team-mate Emma Hinze also lining up, not to mention soon-to-be world-beating sprinter Mathilde Gros, Italy’s Miriam Vece and Colombian speedster Martha Bayona.
The German pair took charge early before a bold move from Gros put Mitchell on the back foot. With Gros forcing Friedrich and Hinze to keep her in check, Mitchell stayed patient until the bell rang for the final lap when she started to move forward, passing her rivals one by one.
She was forced to take a high line in the last turn as Friedrich and Hinze let fly at the front, but a phenomenal turn of speed sent Mitchell powering across the line for a stunning first UCI Track Champions race victory.
Katie Archibald comes back with a bang
After a convincing Endurance League victory in 2021, Katie Archibald was back to defend her crown in 2022, and with the Scratch first on the menu, she was determined to make her mark.
She was in the heat of the action from the off, trying to spark moves and force the hands of her rivals, but the pack stayed together to the line. Just as Archibald surged forward going into the final lap, Tania Calvo got the Spanish crowd excited with a strong acceleration onto Archibald’s wheel, but the Brit’s power was overwhelming and she successfully chalked up her first victory of the second season.
Archibald’s defence took a knock later that night, but her never-back-down spirit did not fade and she was the catalyst for some thrilling racing as the series went on.
Anita Stenberg springs a surprise
Always a thriller, the Women’s Elimination race was set to be one of the more dramatic contests of the night in 2022, and it did not disappoint.
After the shock early exits of both Katie Archibald and Dame Laura Kenny, the action was blown wide open. The North Americans had a particularly good race as the laps counted down, both USA riders Lily Williams and Jennifer Valente making the final four, along with Canadian Maggie Coles-Lyster. But it was Norway’s Anita Stenberg who earned herself a shot at victory against Valente, who was already guaranteed the Endurance League lead after third in the Scratch.
The pair looked equally matched going into the final lap, but Stenberg dug deep and powered past the American at the line.
Harrie Lavreysen gains a challenger for 2022
Round 1 of the 2022 Men’s Sprint series started much as the last had ended for Harrie Lavreysen, as the reigning champion powered to Keirin victory ahead of Stefan Bötticher and newcomer Matthew Richardson. But by the end of the night, Richardson would emerge as a keen challenger for Lavreysen as the pair faced off in the Men’s Sprint final.
Weary after an intense night of racing, Richardson glued himself to Lavreysen’s rear wheel in the opening lap, staying as close as he safely could to make it as hard as possible for Lavreysen to get a good view over his shoulder. As the pace picked up in the penultimate lap, Richardson stayed doggedly in his rival’s slipstream until the last curve when he used all his power to surge around the 11-time world champion and punch across the line.
It was Richardson’s first of many victories in his debut season, but it was in Mallorca that an epic rivalry was born.
The Velodròm Illes Balears was recently confirmed as being the host location for the opening round of the 2023 UCI Track Champions League on Saturday 21st October. It is the third of four venues to be confirmed for the 2023 season, alongside London’s Lee Valley Velodrome (Round 4 & 5) and Saint-Quentin-en-Yvelines (Round 3).
Tickets for Round 1 will be available soon and fans can register their interest by clicking here.
Stay tuned for more best moments as more venues are announced for the 2023 UCI Track Champions League.
