European Track Championships: race schedule and how to watch
Five days of competition in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands will serve as an Olympic rehearsal and selection event
A host of Britain's best track riders take to the boards in Apeldoorn, the Netherlands this week for the European Track Championships.
Competition kicks off on Wednesday October 16, concluding on Sunday October 20.
>>> Essential guide to track cycling disciplines
With the Tokyo Olympic games creeping ever closer, the events will be a useful testing ground for medal hopefuls.
Four time Olympic champion Laura Kenny is eyeing the competition as an opportunity to test her ability to compete in the omnium, team pursuit and madison all in one event - new ground after the third endurance event was added to the Olympic schedule following the Rio games.
“I’m going to be riding all three events, and that will be the first and only time that I get to do the three before going to the Olympics. It’ll be a test – it’ll show whether I can do all three or not," she told British Cycling.
Get The Leadout Newsletter
The latest race content, interviews, features, reviews and expert buying guides, direct to your inbox!
"I think if you’re fit enough it’s possible to do all three events... Now, stood here before the Europeans, I’d like to say that I can do all three events, but I guess in a week’s time I’ll actually know!”
With a host of european track titles to her name, including the individual pursuit and omnium in 2017, Katie Archibald will also be finessing her form ahead of selection.
>>> Nine reasons to try track cycling this winter
Outlining her Tokyo goals, the 25-year-old Scot said: “I really want to be in that team pursuit squad and I really want to have a Madison place. I’ve shifted my focus from the omnium to ensure that the other two are realistic ambitions, because we are a nation that aims for gold medals. I still feel good about that decision.”
Archibald and Kenny will be joined in the endurance squad by team pursuit Olympic champion Elinor Barker, Emily Nelson, who paired with Archibald to take a madison world title in 2018, plus Ellie Dickinson and Neah Evans who formed part of the winning team pursuit squad at the 2018 European Championships.
The men's endurance squad consists of five time world and four time european champion in the team pursuit, Ed Clancy, plus world pursuit champions Ethan Hayter and Charlie Tanfield as well as Matt Walls and Ollie Wood.
>>> Great Britain track team playing catch-up in gearing arms race
The men's sprint contains four riders - six time Olympic gold medalist Jason Kenny, who is currently tied with Sir Chris Hoy on the gold count for Britain's most successful male athlete, plus Jack Carlin, Ryan Owens, and Joe Truman.
Double world silver medallist Carlin hasn't been shy about the nature of his ambitions, and the competition, as the Olympic year approaches.
“Obviously Tokyo is getting closer and closer, so performances are going to be more scrutinised and results are going to have to be shown, even in the process of us qualifying enough points to compete at the Olympics," he said.
“Everyone is just hot on each other’s heels, hoping they can push each other on and push themselves on to make selection and make the team. So there will be pressure in the coming months, but it should be a good pressure.”
The women's sprint squad is made up of Sophie Capewell and Katy Marchant.
Schedule and TV times for European Track Championships 2019 in Apeldoorn
The action will be broadcast on Eurosport 2, as well as on Eurosport Player. TV times are, as always, subject to change.
There's no reason to miss out, even if you’re abroad. A VPN provider like ExpressVPN can protect your privacy as well as unblock geo-locked content so you can access your home broadcaster's coverage even when away from home.
Wednesday, October 16
Eurosport 2 - 18.00-21.00
Finals of the women's scratch race, men's elimination race and team sprints
Thursday, October 17
Eurosport 2 - 18.00-21.00
Finals of the men's scratch race, women's elimination race and team pursuits
Friday, October 18
Eurosport 2 - 17.00-20.50
Finals of the women's individual pursuit, men's and women's sprint, and men's and women's omnium
Saturday, October 19
Eurosport 1 - 18.00-21.00
Men's individual pursuit, the men's and women's points race, and the keirin finals
Sunday, October 20
Eurosport 2 - 14.30 - 17.00
Finals of the men's and women's madison, plus 500m (women) and kilo (men) time trials
Great Britain team for European Track Championships 2019 in Apeldoorn
Women’s Endurance:
Katie Archibald
Elinor Barker
Ellie Dickinson
Neah Evans
Laura Kenny
Emily Nelson
Men’s Endurance:
Ed Clancy
Ethan Hayter
Charlie Tanfield
Matt Walls
Ollie Wood
Women’s Sprint:
Sophie Capewell
Katy Marchant
Men’s Sprint:
Jack Carlin
Jason Kenny
Ryan Owens
Joe Truman
Thank you for reading 20 articles this month* Join now for unlimited access
Enjoy your first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
*Read 5 free articles per month without a subscription
Join now for unlimited access
Try first month for just £1 / $1 / €1
-
Is your bike the noisest in the bunch? 13 steps to a silent ride
A quiet bike is a joy to ride, so here's how to banish unwanted noises - what to check for, how to fix it and why you shouldn't ignore what your bike is telling you
By Tim Russon Published
-
Cycplus Tiny E-Pump AS2 Review - an electric alternative to CO2
Small enough to fit in your pockets, it inflates to 100psi with a 200-second usage per charge
By Paul Grele Published
-
'I'm horrendously competitive': Get to know GB track sprinter Sophie Capewell
Olympic hopeful tells Cycling Weekly about her cyclocross roots, wanting to be a scientist, and her proudest moment to date
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Zwift might be about to add a new map, leaked pictures suggest
Zwifters might soon be able to compete in a virtual Omnium, or take on the Hour Record
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘It’s a performance thing’ - why riders are eating Calippos and Greggs steak bakes to fuel gold medals
Forget expensive gels, the best race nutrition comes from corner shops
By Tom Davidson Published
-
'I'm sure I could get over 2,000 watts' - meet the Gladiators contestant with track sprinting ambitions
Jamie Christian, also known as Giant, has jaw-dropping power on a bike
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Why aren't GB using the new Hope-Lotus Olympic track bikes?
An updated design was released last July, but might not feature in competition before the summer
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Katie Archibald to miss European Championships in key Olympic year
Scot will focus on Nations Cup events ahead of Paris Olympics in August
By Tom Davidson Published
-
‘I went straight through the boarding and broke my back’: From horror crash to Olympic hopeful
Philip Heijnen has battled physical and mental challenges to be on the track today
By Tom Davidson Published
-
Vittoria Bussi makes history with new UCI Hour Record
Italian becomes first woman ever to surpass 50km in her effort
By Tom Davidson Published