Corbin Strong finishes third overall in inaugural UCI Champions Track League

Cycling New Zealand rider Corbin Strong has claimed a podium placing in the overall rankings at the completion of the newly minted UCI Champions Track League in London.

The 21-year-old managed second in the scratch race and eighth in the elimination to cement his third placing overall after four rounds, with the final stop in the competition in Israel cancelled because of Covid border restrictions.

Caption: Aaron Gate leads compatriot Corbin Strong during the UCI champions League in London. Photo: Guy Swarbrick

Fellow Tokyo Olympic teammate Aaron Gate also rode impressively to finish fourth in the scratch race and runner-up in the elimination to claim fourth place overall, to ensure an eye-catching display by the kiwi riders.

American Gavin Hoover came from behind to snatch the endurance top prize after Spaniard Sebastian Mora, the leader coming into the final round, was relegated from the scratch race for an infringement to drop to second overall.

Fellow kiwi Jordan Castle, who has been based in Europe this year to gain racing experience, was much improved for the experience, finishing 14th overall in the men’s sprint group.

The competition finished with two rounds at the Lee Valley Velopark, the venue built for the 2012 London Olympics, with the New Zealand riders bouncing back after a low-key first round on Friday (local time).

The concept, in collaboration with Discovery Channel, comprised 72 selected riders, 18 males and 18 females both in sprint and endurance, who have competed in a two-hour competition of quick-fire events, presented in an exciting, fun environment.

It marks the end of an extremely long year for Gate and Strong, with a massive lead-up to the Tokyo Olympics before both headed to Europe for road racing before reverting to the track for the world championships in October and then to the new Champions League.

Road will be a focus for both riders in the early part of next season – Gate for the all-kiwi Black Spoke Cycling Academy while Strong moves to the UCI WorldTour for Israel Start-up Nation, with both riders then targeting selection on the track for the Birmingham Commonwealth Games in July-August.