NEWS: Pre-season round up

February 22, 2016 editor

With training already underway in many parts of the UK and challenge matches beginning this weekend, here is a round up of all the news you may have missed in the outdoor off season.

European Championships

The 2016 European Championships will be taking place in Poole, with qualifying rounds in Southampton. The Dorset club put on a marvellous spectacle that was the World Cup Final in 2015, and we can expect another fantastic weekend of racing on 29th July 31st July.

2015 World Cup Final day in Poole.

British Championships

The South and South Wales region take on the British Championships this year. Exeter will be hosting finals day on Bank Holiday Monday, 29th August 2016. Other finals will be spread out between Swindon, Horspath, Newport, Poole and Southampton, with details to be confirmed in the next few weeks. Finals day qualifiers will be at Poole and Southampton on the Sunday.

One notable change is the open qualifying taking place on Sunday only, as what will likely be two semi-finals due to the downward trend of entries in recent years. The top 8 from the 2015 final will be seeded four aside, with pre-qualifiers, should the entry numbers exceed 32. The single day qualifying will help keep the accommodation costs down, considering the European championships also being in the south at holiday time a few weeks earlier.

World Best Pairs at Exeter, 2015

It will be the first time since 1992 that Exeter has hosted the British Individual Championships, after the top drawer drama of the Best Pairs in the Worlds last year, it is sure to be another day that is not to be missed.

2016 European Club Championship

The 2016 European Club Championship takes place in Ostrow on 30th April to 3rd May. A finalised programme will be released after the draws are sorted, entries for which closed last night.

A Great Britain v Poland test match is likely to take place on Friday 29th April 2016 in Ostrow.

Elite League

The Elite League combination was dropped at the end of 2015, some Elite League clubs are looking at running a combination competition, although not all. Coventry are expected to break away from the 8+6 formula to run whole club inclusive events post elite league matches, which opposing team riders will be welcome to join in with, whatever their level.

Wednesfield celebrate their 2015 Elite League title.

Other Elite League news sees the introduction of two nominated heats as heat 19 and 20, which any of the 10 riders can be selected for, with one per rider. This will certainly give team managers more to think about, but also, should a match be won by heat 19, the potential opportunity for young riders to take extra rides against the tough competition that is the Elite League.

Transfer News

Gavin Wheeler’s proposed move to Horspath from Poole was rejected by the CS commission, due to incomplete paperwork and thus missing the deadline. Tom Colling’s move to Southampton from Poole was also rejected and it’s understood Swindon’s Jim Bailey’s paperwork to sign on an Elite League licence with Coventry arrived late and was also rejected.

Midland League back with British Cycling

The Midlands League come back to British Cycling for 2016, after a year running under TLI.

Home International

The 2016 Home International was awarded to Hull, it takes place on 14th July. Jamie Ball has been appointed as the Scotland team manager for 2016-2017.

British Team Knockout Cup

Horspath host the British Team Knockout Cup finals day on 11th September. Here is the draw for round one:

Round 1 – 19th June

Bury v Horspath

Ipswich v Coventry

Hull v East Park

5 Byes-

Birmingham

Leicester

Newport

Poole

Wednesfield

Quarter Finals – 21st August

Semi Finals & Final

11th September (Horspath)

British Club Championships

All the 2016 British Club Championships take place on one May Bank Holiday weekend, 28th-30th May. Venues are yet to be decided but they will take place centrally in the Midlands.