The largest track cycling competition ever staged in Hong Kong kicked off today 15 January at the Hong Kong Velodrome in Tseung Kwan O. Co-organized by the Union Cycliste Internationale (UCI) and The Cycling Association of Hong Kong (CAHK), the UCI Track Cycling World Cup – Hong Kong saw some early success for Hong Kong as Yang Qianyu claiming the bronze in the Women’s Scratch Race.
Mr Wilfred Ng, SBS JP, President of the Organizing Committee of The UCI Track cycling World Cup – Hong Kong remarked at the opening ceremony, “The World Cup is one of the most important events on the world track cycling calendar. It is also the key competition in which riders earn ranking points ahead of 2016 Rio Olympics. The fact that the competition takes place in Hong Kong this year under the cheering of local fans is a boost for the Hong Kong Team. Show them your support!”
The Men’s and Women’s Scratch Race and Points Race concluded Friday with Thomas Benjamin of France taking two gold medals in both Men’s Scratch Race and Men’s Points Race. The Women’s Scratch Race medals went to Marina Shmayankova (BLR), Laura Trott (GB) and Yang Qianyu (HKG) respectively, while Jolien D’Hoore (BEL) stepped on the top of the podium in the Women’s Points Race.
In the qualifying races, Australia posted a time of 4:00.947 and secured a spot in tomorrow’s (16 January) Men’s Team Pursuit final. As for Women’s Team pursuit, Great Britain rode 4:19.369 to secure the top qualifying spot. In Men’s Team Sprint, Great Britain set the fastest time to move through to the gold medal race against Poland, while Rusvelo team will face Great Britain for the Women’s Team Sprint gold medal.
Saturday’s race schedule, includes the finals of the Men’s and Women’s Team Pursuit, Men’s and Women’s Team Sprint, Men’s Keirin and Women’s Sprint. Hong Kong Olympic medalist Sarah Lee Wai-sze, who will contend in the Women’s Sprint.
Results
Friday 15 January
Men’s Points: Thomas Benjamin (FRA), Julio Alberto Amores Palacios (ESP), Luke Mudgway (NZL)
Women’s Points: Jolien D’Hoore (BEL), Jasmin Glaesser (CAN), Emily Nelson (GB)
Men’s Scratch: Thomas Benjamin (FRA), Xavier Canellas Sanchez (ESP), Jordan Arley Parra Arias (COL)
Women’s Scratch: Marina Shmayankova (BLR), Laura Trott (GB) and Yang Qianyu (HKG)
Race Schedule
Saturday 16 January
Team Pursuit (men’s and women’s finals)
Team Sprint (men’s and women’s finals)
Omnium (men and women, events 1-3)
Women’s sprint
Men’s Keirin
Sunday 17 January
Men’s Sprint
Omnium (men’s and womens, events 4-6)
Women’s Keirin
UCI Track Cycling World Cup Hong Kong
Date: 16-17 January, 2016
Venue: Hong Kong Velodrome, Tseung Kwan O
Tickets: $200, $150, $120 from HK Ticketing