Preview: 2012 UCI Track World Cup Round 1

Published: 11 October 2012

Team SWI Welsh Cycling have completed their final training session in Cali before the first day of competition at round one of the 2012/2013 Track World Cup series. With over 30 countries and 6 professional trade teams registered to compete in Cali, there is depth in the field of competition for Team SWI Welsh Cycling.

Elinor Barker, Amy Roberts and Ciara Horne will take to the boards first for Team SWI Welsh Cycling in the Women’s Team Pursuit on Thursday. Qualifying rounds begin at 12:00 (COT), with the Women’s Team Pursuit finals in the evening session from 18:30 (COT).

Jon Mould will also begin his Omnium events on Thursday. From 12:00 (COT) he will compete in the Flying Lap and 30km Points race with the Elimination, the third ominum event, taking place in the evening session from 18:30 (COT). Jon will complete the Omnium on Friday with the 4km Individual Pursuit, 15km Scratch Race and the final event of 1km Time Trial. Jon will be back in action on Saturday, the final day of competition, in the Men’s 30km Points Race.

“This is a great opportunity to be able to ride all three world cups this winter. I’m aiming for the points and scratch races across the series, with Mexico being my main aim. Where possible, I’ll also compete in the Omnium events. At my best I’m aiming for a top eight finish, which is realistic; to get a medal at this stage in the series would be a bonus.”

Amy Roberts, double World Junior Track Championship medallist, will also compete individually on Thursday in the Women’s 10km Scratch Race. Stepping up from junior level this week, Amy is grasping this opportunity with both hands.

“This is a massive opportunity as I am still quite young, and I have not done a big race like this before at senior level. I’m looking to gain experience and there will be a lot of things to learn this year. Not many people get the chance to compete at World Cups this early in their career, so it is a fantastic opportunity.”

Elinor Barker, World Junior Road Time Trial Champion, will begin her Omnium campaign on Friday. After qualifying, there will be the Flying Lap, 20km Points Race and Elimination with competition continuing on Saturday with 3km Individual Pursuit, 10km Scratch Race and the 500m Time Trial.

The first round of the UCI Track World Cup series will be contested from October 11 - 13 in Cali, Colombia.

Keep up to date with Team SWI Welsh Cycling throughout their 2012/13 Track World Cup campaign