Team Sky, Cannondale Pro Cycling Team, Lampre-Merida, Orica-GreenEdge, Team Giant-Alpecin, Team LottoNL-Jumbo and Trek Segafredo have been revealed today as the seven WorldTour teams that will field riders in the new Revolution Champions League track events this winter.
The Champions League aims to pit the seven WorldTour teams against the five top-performing squads from the Revolution Track Series UK Championships in a series of six events starting in November 2016.
Three venues will host the six rounds, running over three consecutive weekends and culminating in a grand final at the Lee Valley VeloPark, London, over December 2 and 3. The first round will take place out of the UK in a venue that will be confirmed in the near future.
James Pope, CEO of Revolution organiser FACE Partnership, told Cycling Weekly that the Revolution series will feature riders who take part in the Rio Olympics, as well as leading names from the road.
"We're discussing some of the top names now," said Pope. "There will be quite a few Olympians that will take part in the series with the addition of road stars in an evolution of the existing Revolution format."
Spectators will be able to see a broader range of cycling stars, potentially taking the events to a new audience both in the UK and abroad. "The concept will broaden the appeal to fans of the road," said Pope. "Track cycling does well in the UK, and we want to help to develop it internationally."
The events are the result of a partnership between team organisation Velon and Revolution. Live rider data will be streamed during the event to give an extra dimension to the racing.
"Velon and FACE are united in the aims of providing more entertaining racing for cycling fans, and a better narrative to the race season," said Pope. "With Velon's support we will bring the world's best road teams to Revolution and create a new exciting format for track cycling."
Tickets are on sale now via the Revolution website at www.cyclingrevolution.com.
The ever-popular Revolution Track Series also continues, offering fast-paced racing over three rounds in Manchester and Glasgow on September 17 (Manchester), October 8 (Glasgow) and October 22 (Manchester).
Revolution Champions League 2016 dates
Round 1, November 18 - Venue TBC
Round 2, November 19 - Venue TBC
Round 3, November 25 - National Cycling Centre, Manchester
Round 4, November 26 - National Cycling Centre, Manchester
Round 5, December 2 - Lee Valley VeloPark, London
Round 6, December 3 - Lee Valley VeloPark, London
