London returns to host grand finale of the 2023 UCI Track Champions League

Warner Bros. Discovery Sports has confirmed London’s Lee Valley VeloPark will host the grand finale of the 2023 UCI Track Champions League.

The iconic venue will once again host the concluding two rounds (rounds 4 & 5) on consecutive evenings, just as it did for the league’s two previous seasons. This year, the final rounds will take place on 10 and 11 November.

Lee Valley VeloPark is the first venue to be unveiled for the third season, with the dates and locations of the remaining rounds due to be announced in the coming weeks.

Every time the UCI Track Champions League has visited the Lee Valley VeloPark it has been greeted by sell-out crowds. Last season, supporters were treated to two nights of incredible action which ultimately saw four new champions crowned (Mathilde Gros from France, Claudio Imhoffrom from Switzerland, Matthew Richardson from Australia and Jennifer Valente from the US).

Florian Pavia, series director of the UCI Track Champions League, said: “We’re delighted the UCI Track Champions League will be returning to London on 10-11 November. Every time we’ve been there in the past we’ve received unbelievable support and the fans always create an electric atmosphere. The riders definitely feed off that as well, and that’s why we’ve been treated to such incredible racing. It felt like an easy decision to host the grand finale inside this world-famous velodrome once again.”

UCI president David Lappartient said: “Experience from the last two seasons has taught us that we must be ready to expect the unexpected at any round of the UCI Track Champions League. This is particularly true in the final back-to-back rounds, when tension is at its highest. I cannot wait to see the action unfold at the Lee Valley VeloPark, which will once again provide a perfect backdrop for the best track cycling has to offer.”

Jon Dutton, British Cycling CEO, said: “We’re thrilled to be bringing the UCI Track Champions League back to London for two more scintillating rounds of racing in November, with fans being given the opportunity to see the overall series champions crowned once again. At British Cycling we’re incredibly proud of our reputation as a trusted host of the sport’s showpiece events, and I know just how popular this storied velodrome and our raucous, sell-out crowds are with riders and fans across the world.”

Katie Archibald, Women’s Endurance winner in 2021 and runner-up last season, said: “I love riding in London because you always receive such incredible support. It can be deafening when you’re out there on the track, but that energy really spurs you on and enables you to push that little bit harder. I have great memories of being crowned Women’s Endurance champion there in 2021, and it was great to be able to win the final Elimination race there last year as well.”

Mark Stewart, who held the blue jersey in 2022 and won the Men’s Scratch race in Round 5, said: “Racing in front of a British crowd is always a treat and it’s great to see London back on the UCI Track Champions League calendar for 2023. The atmosphere inside the velodrome on both nights last season was insane, and I’m sure it’ll be the same again on 10-11 November.”

Sir Chris Hoy, UCI Track Champions League ambassador, said: “I’ve got so many happy memories from competing inside the Lee Valley VeloPark and it’s been brilliant to see the UCI Track Champions League prove such a success there. The crowds in London are always very knowledgeable and they get behind every rider, and if this year proves to be anything like the last two years, we’re going to be treated to some hard fought and enthralling racing.”