Olympians Corbin Strong and Aaron Gate remain well in contention after the second round of the newly-formed UCI Track Champions League in Lithuania.
Heavy snow outside was no deterrent for the Cycling New Zealand pair in the second of five rounds of the two-hour all-action format featuring 72 invited riders competing in sprint and keirin for sprinters and scratch race and elimination for endurance riders.
The 2020 points race world champion, Strong led after winning both endurance events in the opening round in Mallorca. He finished seventh in the second round to be in second place overall, just two points behind Spain’s Sebastian Mora who won both endurance races in Lithuania.
Gate was 12th in the scratch race and second behind Mora in the elimination race, to move up to fifth placing overall.
Manawatu rider Jordan Castle, the sole New Zealand sprinter in the competition, also improved to finish 12th overall at the Cido Arena in Panevezys.
“Everyone is enjoying the concept, and now we are also getting to grips with competing each week,” said Gate.
“For endurance riders it is not too difficult with the load because we are used to backing up night after night. But we are taking up four days with travel and competition and there’s no real chance to train to be able to hold on to your form or build it. So, it is a bit like treading water.
“Overall, it is a lot of fun and with the Discovery Channel behind it, the numbers are growing. We had another full house tonight as well.”
Gate said the scratch race, which is only 5kms and took just over five minutes, is too short for his endurance strength.
“I had barely warmed up before it was over. The elimination went well for me and now both Corbin and myself are well in the hunt and we are both looking forward to heading to London to a velodrome we know well.”
The riders head to London later in the week for the double round at the Lee Valley Velopark, originally constructed for the 2012 London Olympics. The fifth and final round is scheduled for Tel Aviv.