What to expect on day four of the Championships
Three days of exhilarating action done, and now we're adding more on day 4.
This unique event, the first of its kind and the biggest cycling event in history, began on Thursday 3 August and continues until Sunday 13 August, and features riders from over 130 countries in 13 championships, with over 200 rainbow jerseys to be awarded throughout the Championships.
Keep up with every moment of the action by following our socials, or check out our live blog which is updated regularly all day, every day, for all the latest news, action and results.
It’s day four and we’re in full swing here in Glasgow and at venues around Scotland, and now everyone’s warmed up, let’s throw YET another discipline into the mix, shall we? This one is a bit racey! Enter BMX Racing!!
Events to watch
Road
The first Sunday of the championships will see the centre of Glasgow come to a standstill as everyone turns their attention to the men’s elite road race.
Setting off from Edinburgh at 9:30am, the peloton will wind its way out of the Scottish capital, heading up and over the Queensferry Crossing into Fife before heading west along the Firth of Forth. The climb of Crow Road 96.4km in will mark the highest point of the course before riders descend down into Glasgow for around midday and 10 laps of the 14.3km city centre circuit.
The twisting, technical nature of the loop will be a great spectacle for the thousands of fans lining the street, while the 200m kicker of Montrose Street will certainly add some spice to the occasion.
BMX FREESTYLE PARK
BMX Freestyle will return after the rain interruptions to continue the hair raising aerial showboating and skills.
Expect even more mind-bending trickery from the men’s elite and women’s elite riders, as they look to push the boundaries of what’s possible on a bike as they flip, whip and spin their way around the park’s numerous features of ramps, quarter pipes and spines.
With a spot in Monday’s final on the line, high-octane 60-second runs are guaranteed.
BMX RACING
Want even more small wheel action? You’re in luck. Today sees BMX Racing make its championship debut as riders take to the start gate before racing their way over the berms and doubles of the Glasgow BMX Centre.
The goal is simple: cross the finish first. But there’s the small matter of seven other riders competing who are trying to do the same, all while navigating the BMX Centre’s complex 400m course.
The first day of racing sees BMX Racing: Challenge, where amateur and age-groupers get their chance to win a rainbow jersey before the elite and junior action gets underway next Saturday (12 August).
TRACK AND PARA-CYCLING TRACK
We’re not even halfway through the action at the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome, where it has been raining Track and Para-cycling track rainbow jerseys for the last three nights. Day four is set to feature another two jam-packed sessions on the boards, and plenty to get excited about.
The men’s elite individual pursuit and men’s elite omnium get underway in the morning session, while the women’s elite keirin reaches its quarter-final stage.
10 rainbow jerseys are up for grabs on Sunday, including hopes for Great Britain in the women’s C1 individual pursuit, the men’s C3 individual pursuit kilo.
The evening session will conclude with some blistering rides in the men’s individual pursuit (elite and C3 categories); the women’s elite keirin finals, and the conclusion of the men’s elite omnium.
MOUNTAIN BIKE CROSS-COUNTRY MARATHON
Although the off-road action in Fort William has been wrapped up with the conclusion of the men’s elite and women’s elite Mountain Biking Downhill yesterday, things are just getting underway on the Mountain Bike Cross-Country course in the Tweed Valley.
The first event is also arguably the toughest – the men’s elite and women’s elite Mountain Bike Cross-country Marathon. Riders are pitted against a 100km route that takes in road, forest fire roads and single-track, as well as thigh-burning off-road climbs and long, flowing descents where staying focused is essential.
If the course and distance wasn’t challenging, riders also have to be self-sufficient and carry all the essentials in case of a mechanical due to the long distances between technical zones.
Check out all you need to know about the long-distance cross-country discipline.
Athletes to watch
The main focus of Sunday’s action will be the men’s elite road race. Even if the peloton makes it to Glasgow in a big bunch, you can expect fireworks on the 10-lap city centre course courtesy of the tight corners and the small matter of Montrose Street - a 200m, 7.7% climb which hits peaks of 13%.
The punchy parcours means that it might be beyond an out-and-out sprinter, and instead reserved for a rider like Mathieu van der Poel (Netherlands) or Wout van Aert (Belgium). There’s also no discounting the reigning world champ Remco Evenepoel or two-time Tour de France winner Tadej Pogacar (Slovenia). The Great Britain squad meanwhile is a mixture of youth and experience, with Fred Wright and Connor Swift the ones to watch.
Staying in Glasgow, the BMX Freestyle Park will see the group whittled down even more ahead of tomorrow’s finals. Barring any mishaps, expect the 2022 world champions Hannah Roberts (USA) and Rimu Nakamura (Japan) to shine, while the current European title holder, Kieran Reilly (Great Britain), will be looking to spin his way into the finals with his signature riding style.
Over in Glentress, the two current Mountain Bike Cross-Country Marathon world champions Pauline Ferrand-Prevot (France) and Samuel Gaze (New Zealand) will be aiming to defend their titles. There will be some serious competition though from Team GB’s Isla Short and Cameron Mason, who will both be looking to put in a strong performance ahead of the short track and Olympic-distance events next week.
In the evening, the home crowd will have a lot to cheer in the Sir Chris Hoy velodrome. Katie Toft (women’s C1 individual pursuit) and Kadeena Cox (women’s C4 500m time trial) will be defending their world titles, while Sophie Unwin and Jenny Holl will be going for the third rainbow jersey of the championships.
The session will also see the conclusion of the men’s omnium, where Ethan Hayter will be looking to come out on top again, while Scotland’s Fin Graham is sure to get one of the biggest cheers of the night in the men’s C3 individual pursuit.
WHERE CAN YOU WATCH IT?
The Championships is reaching an unprecedented number of nations with global broadcast partners showing all the action from Scotland every day – check out the maps below to find out how to watch, wherever you are.
WANT TO JOIN US?
The Championships are in full swing, so remaining tickets are limited, but there is still some availability for certain sessions and events – click the link below to find out how you can join us.
There are also plenty of opportunities to watch live for free, on the road side – take a look at the route maps for the road races, or head to the site to find out what else you can enjoy for free.