Shanghai hosts UCI Track Cycling World Championships

The UCI Track Cycling World Championships are underway in Shanghai, China, serving as a critical event for athletes seeking qualifying points for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games. The competition features 22 different disciplines and a record number of participating nations.

Italy's pursuit squads have shown strong form, with both the men's and women's teams advancing to the semifinals. The men's team, including Filippo Ganna, Alessio Magagnotti, Francesco Lamon, and Jonathan Milan, will face Great Britain in the next round. The women's team, featuring Elisa Balsamo, Martina Alzini, Martina Fidanza, and Vittoria Guazzini, is set to compete against Germany.

New Zealand has also arrived in Shanghai with a squad looking to test progress ahead of the next Olympics. The team includes riders such as Ellesse Andrews, Prue Fowler, and Tom Sexton. Notably, double world gold medalist Ally Wollaston is absent from the competition while recovering from a knee injury.

Other major contenders include the Netherlands, which enters the championships following a dominant performance at the previous world championships.