Track Worlds beckon for ARA Australian Cycling Team in Ballerup

All eyes of the track cycling universe will be on Ballerup, Denmark over next five days for the 2024 UCI Track World Championships.

The ARA Australian Cycling Team will target medals and rainbow jerseys with an 11-rider squad, down one from the originally named team of 12 following the withdrawal of three-time Olympian Georgia Baker.

Olympic team pursuit gold medallist Kelland O’Brien leads the charge for the men’s endurance trio, joined by Blake Agnoletto and Liam Walsh. The three will share responsibilities across the scratch race, omnium, elimination race and Madison.

Kelland O'Brien will race at his sixth elite Track Worlds this week. Picture: Will Palmer/SWpix.com

Alexandra Manly looks set to be handed the keys to the women's endurance side of the program in the absence of Baker. Track Worlds debutant Keira Will could also receive further race opportunities but should at minimum feature in the elimination race and scratch race.

2022 team sprint world champions Thomas Cornish and Leigh Hoffman will be joined by Track Worlds debutant Ryan Elliott as the men’s sprint trident. They will feature across the team sprint, sprint, keirin and 1000m time trial.

Australia will race in the women's team sprint for the first time since 2020, and for the first time since the event moved to teams of three in 2021. Paris 2024 Olympian Kristina Clonan will be joined by two Track Worlds debutants — Alessia McCaig and Molly McGill. All three will also race in the sprint, keirin and 500m time trial.

How to watch

Australian fans can watch the 2024 UCI Track World Championships live on SBS On Demand, which will broadcast all five finals sessions. Further schedule information can be found below.

Start lists and results can be found on Tissot Timing.

ARA Australian Cycling Team

Leigh Hoffman and Thomas Cornish (third wheel) are hunting more Track Worlds medals. Picture: Will Palmer/SWpix.com

Sprint Men

• Thomas Cornish
• Ryan Elliott
• Leigh Hoffman

Sprint Women

• Kristina Clonan
• Alessia McCaig
• Molly McGill

Endurance Men

• Blake Agnoletto
• Kelland O'Brien
• Liam Walsh

Endurance Women

• Alexandra Manly
• Keira Will

Alexandra Manly is expected to receive extra bunch race opportunities in Ballerup due to the absence of her perennial Madison partner Georgia Baker. Picture: Will Palmer/SWpix.com

Schedule

Wednesday, October 16

Morning session: 11:30 CET / 20:30 AEDT; 20:00 ACDT; 19:30 AEST; 17:30 AWST

Evening session: 18:30 CET / 3:30 AEDT; 3:00 ACDT; 2:30 AEST; 0:30 AWST (all Thursday AM)

• Men's team sprint
• Women's team sprint
• Women's scratch race

Thursday, October 17

Afternoon session: 14:00 CET / 23:00 AEDT; 22:30 ACDT; 22:00 AEST; 20:00 AWST

Evening session: 18:30 CET / 3:30 AEDT; 3:00 ACDT; 2:30 AEST; 0:30 AWST (all Friday AM)

• Women's elimination race
• Men's keirin
• Men's scratch race
• Women's sprint (up to 1/4 finals)

Friday, October 18

Afternoon session: 14:00 CET / 23:00 AEDT; 22:30 ACDT; 22:00 AEST; 20:00 AWST

Evening session: 18:30 CET / 3:30 AEDT; 3:00 ACDT; 2:30 AEST; 0:30 AWST (all Saturday AM)

• Men's points race
• Men's 1000m time trial
• Women's sprint
• Women's omnium

Saturday, October 19

Afternoon session: 12:30 CET / 21:30 AEDT; 21:00 ACDT; 20:30 AEST; 18:30 AWST

Evening session: 18:30 CET / 3:30 AEDT; 3:00 ACDT; 2:30 AEST; 0:30 AWST (all Sunday AM)

• Women's 500m time trial
• Women's Madison
• Men's omnium
• Men's sprint (up to 1/4 finals)

Sunday, October 20

Morning session: 11:00 CET / 20:00 AEDT; 19:30 ACDT; 19:00 AEST; 17:00 AWST

Afternoon session: 13:30 CET / 22:30 AEDT; 22:00 ACDT; 21:30 AEST; 19:30 AWST

• Women's points race
• Men's elimination race
• Men's sprint
• Women's keirin
• Men's Madison

Blake Agnoletto will make his Track Worlds debut on the final day of racing. Picture: Con Chronis

Characteristics of Ballerup Super Arena

• Length: 250 metres  
• Width: 8.15 metres  
• Surface: Siberian larch
• Bend: 45 degrees  
• Straights: 14 degrees
• Circumference at the fence: 288.65 metres

Feature photo: Will Palmer / SWpix.com