The new modern velodrome in Konya (Türkiye ) hosted the UEC Track Elite Cycling European Championships, one of the highlights of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme’s calendar. This ultra-modern facility, equipped with an extremely fast track, provided ideal technical conditions for top-level performances and entertainment.
This event marked a historic moment for Turkish and European cycling. Indeed, this was the first time that Türkiye had hosted the Track Elite European Championships, confirming its rise as a venue for major international events and the strength of its organisation.
Great Britain took the top spot in the final medals table with a total of 13 medals, including 7 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze from the 22 titles up for grabs. Belgium came second with 4 gold medals, 5 bronze and Germany finished in third place with 3 gold medals, 2 silver and 4 bronze.
During the five days of competition, the Konya Velodrome was the scene of some exceptional performances that marked this edition of the Championships, with four world records highlighting the technical quality of the track and the calibre of the participants.
Among these was the new women's 200-metre world record, set by Emma Finucane (Great Britain) with a time of 9.759 seconds.
The team events also produced some exceptional results. Great Britain set the world record in the women's Team Pursuit with a time of 4'02.808, thanks to Katie Archibald, Josie Knight, Anna Morris and Millie Couzens.
Denmark's performance in the men's Team Pursuit was also historic, with Tobias Hansen, Frederik Rodenberg, Rasmus Pedersen and Lasse Norman Leth setting a new world record of 3'39"977, becoming the first team in history to break the 3 minute 40 second barrier.
To complete a very high-level technical picture, the women's Individual Pursuit world record was also broken by Britain's Josie Knight with a time of 4'19"461, confirming once again the speed of the Konya track, on which world records have already been set in the past.
Lotte Kopecky’s impressive performance (Belgium) was one of the standout results, proving her superiority in endurance races by winning three European titles: Elimination, Points Race and the Madison, which she won together with Shari Bossuyt.
In the Men’s events Matthew Richardson (Great Britain) reaffirmed his status as the King of Speed by winning titles in the Sprint and Keirin which makes the British rider one of the best sprinters in the world on this same track in Konya, where last August he set a new world record in the 200 metres.
On the last day, Roger Kluge (Germany) celebrated his 40th birthday in the best way possible by winning the Madison with Moritz Augenstein, dominating the race with a performance displaying experience and superiority.
Enrico Della Casa, President of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme: ‘We have enjoyed five days of great technical spectacle, with a very high level of competition. Konya proved to be an excellent venue, thanks to a modern and fast velodrome and a very high standard of hospitality. I would like to thank the Turkish Cycling Federation, all the institutions involved, and above all the public, whose enthusiasm and warmth contributed decisively to the success of these Championships.’
