What to expect from day one at the Championships!

The biggest cycling event in history gets underway on Thursday 3 August, showing the world the power of the bike.

We’ll be following each moment on our socials, and updating you on our live blog daily - check out the main talking points of day one at the biggest cycling event in history!

Track and Para-cycling Track

Named after the greatest Scottish track cyclist of all time, the Sir Chris Hoy Veledrome plays host to our first medal events, with rainbow jerseys to be won across track and para-track cycling.

Known for being the spiritual home of cycling, the atmosphere will set the pace for high-octane heroics and sweltering drama, and no doubt many athletes will rise to the occasion.

With para track cycling having already started today, expectations will be on the shoulders of Australia, the Netherlands and hosts Great Britain, traditionally strong in this discipline, to come away with medals. The men’s C5, C4 and C1 individual pursuit is sure to draw attention, as is the final of the women’s C5 5000m time trial and women’s C3 individual pursuit.

All eyes will be on the finals for the women’s elite team sprint, women’s elite individual pursuit, and men’s scratch race.

Mountain Bike Downhill

We also start the championships strong by following the next generation of cycling talent, in downhill mountain biking.

Standing proud as one of the sport’s most legendary mountain runs, with sheer spectacle, scenery and gravity defying drama, the downhill track at Fort William hosts the qualifying rounds for the men’s and women’s junior competition.

Nothing comes easy on this course – one of the longest on the circuit, it’s notorious for deep holes, big drops, mud, and a punishing sprint finish. Riders will reach white-knuckle speeds of up to 80km/h on the 2.82km course, with 555m in vertical drop.

Check out the preview of the technically and physically challenging course.

Now onto the good stuff… the one’s to watch. Glasgow’s hometown hero Katie Archibald is a standout contender in the GB track squad. With over 26 titles to her name, the four-time world champion is in great shape after success at the European Championships earlier this year.

Joining her in the women’s team pursuit will be Elinor Barker, Neah Evans and Josie Knight, who will face an intense battle with last year’s world champions Italy.

In the women’s individual pursuit, the names to follow to rival Archibald will be Jennifer Valente of the USA, who comes into Glasgow as defending omnium world champion, and Belgium’s Lotte Kopecky, fresh from a second place finish in the Tour de France Femmes.

In para-track, the GB team is stacked with talent, with 16 world champions ready to defend their title. Given that the banked corners curve at a terrifying 45 degree angle, meaning that riders can exit them at insanely fast speeds, you can expect world records to come flying in.

Check out the maps to see where you can tune in and follow the Championships on TV and online!

Tickets are limited, but there is still some availability for certain sessions and events throughout the Championships. 

Grab yours now and join us at the inaugural UCI Cycling World Championships!