What To Expect On Day Two Of The Championships

We’re underway at the first ever Cycling World Championships and with a full day of action ahead, let’s take a look at the disciplines on the menu on day two!

Venues around Scotland play host to the biggest cycling event in history, which began yesterday and continues until Sunday 13th August, with two goals: to crown 200 World Champions, and to showcase the power of the bike.

Don’t miss a moment of this unique event, by following along on our socials, or our live blog which is updated regularly throughout the day with all the news, action and results - check out the main stories on day two of this mega celebration of cycling.

TRACK AND PARA-CYCLING TRACK

After a thrilling first day in the Sir Chris Hoy Velodrome, which saw the first rainbow jerseys of the first ever Cycling World Championships awarded, day two will see another packed schedule on the boards, with plenty more rainbow jerseys up for grabs across track and para-track cycling.

Named after the Scottish track legend himself, the velodrome will be quite literally a hotbed of heart-stopping action as the home riders seek to emulate Chris Hoy and other cycling legends. Back-to-back events offer no respite to either the athletes or the packed house of fans, who will create a vibrant atmosphere as they watch the high-octane drama unfold.

Following a mixed day for hosts Great Britain on day one of the track action, all eyes will be on the team to continue the success they have had previously on the track, and with events they have excelled in recent seasons such as  the men’s C3 and C4 1km time trial and the women’s C1 500m time trial, there will be plenty of tension and excitement with British hopes of rainbow jerseys. The first events in the para-cycling omnium events for men’s C1 and C2 and women’s C2 and C3 also get underway, and all eyes will be on Italy and Denmark in round 1 of the men’s elite team pursuit.

Nine rainbow jerseys will be awarded on day 2, including in the women’s B individual pursuit, in which Great Britain’s Lora Fachie and Corinne Hall set the fastest time in qualifying, the women’s elite scratch race and women’s elite 500m time trial. And the men’s elite team sprint, which will surely see some fireworks detonate in the velodrome as the Netherlands and Australia clash once again.

MOUNTAIN BIKE DOWNHILL

Following the first day on the Nevis Range downhill track at Fort William, the junior qualifiers will take to the course for the finals of the men’s and women’s junior competition. The course at Fort William is one of the leading – and one of the longest – downhill mountain runs in the sport, offering stomach-flipping drops, hair-raising twists and turns, and of course, plenty of mud along the way. It’s also the turn of the elite riders to take to the course for the first time, as they take part in the elite qualifying event.

Riders will reach white-knuckle speeds of up to 80km/h on the 2.82km course, with 555m total vertical drop. Check out the preview of the technically and physically challenging course.

GRAN FONDO

Taking mass participation to new levels, the Gran Fondo event will see athletes competing in age categories across two different distances and in a range of age groups. Picture a marathon running event, but on bikes.

With 2,075 riders taking part, the event takes place in Perth & Kinross, with riders of all ages (including an 85-90 age group!) tackling the 85.7km Medio Fondo route. More intrepid riders will take on the full Gran Fondo route, at 160.3km, and with over 1600m of altitude gain. The race finishes in front of Scone Palace, the Crowning site of Scottish Kings and the original home of the Stone of Scone, also known as the Stone of Destiny.

The race will have a distinctly international flavour with over 77% of athletes coming from outside of the UK.

The riders competing to make the rainbow jersey their destiny represent the top 25% of finishers in 27 UCI accredited qualifying events from around the world, and they will compete in age categories to win one of 20 available special rainbow jerseys (11 for the men, 9 for the women).

It promises to be a highly competitive but joyous celebration of the power of the bike. Traditionally followed by a great feast, Perth will no doubt make sure the riders are well fed following the presentation of the winners.

It’s time. Glasgow’s hometown hero Katie Archibald will take to the track for the first time in the Championships with her team pursuit companions Elinor Barker, Neah Evans and Josie Knight will attempt to fend off the challenge of last year’s world champions Italy, who feature former road World Champion Elisa Balsamo amongst others. Four-time world champion Archibald boasts an enviable record, with over 26 titles to her name, and despite a tumultuous year her form is excellent as she gets this year’s campaign underway.

The world’s fastest man Harrie Lavreysen, will compete with his Netherlands team mates in the final of the men’s elite team sprint.

In Para-track, the GB team has been dominant for a number of years, and brings 16 world champions ready to defend their title. Tomorrow, veteran Jody Cundy (C4) and Scottish youngster Finlay Graham (C3) will defend their 1km time trial titles, while Katie Toft will defend her 500m time trial title in the C1 category.

At the downhill, keep an eye on defending World Champions Valentina Höll of Austria and Loic Bruni of France, along with Canadians Finn Iles and Jackson Goldstein, and young Frenchman Thibaut Daprela, and the Swiss Camille Balanche.

For Great Britain, five-time World Champion Rachel Atherton has returned to form after taking time off to have her daughter, and youngster Phoebe Gale is following in the veteran’s footsteps. For the men, Bernard Kerr and Danny Hart will hope to challenge.

WHERE CAN YOU WATCH IT?

Tune in and follow the Championships on TV, or online – take a look at the maps to see how.

WANT TO JOIN US?

Now the Championships are underway, remaining tickets are limited, but there is still some availability for certain sessions and events – take a look below. And of course, there are plenty of opportunities to watch live for free, including during the Gran Fondo events – why not head out onto the roads to support the riders?