Track rule changes set to benefit Hong Kong riders as new season kicks off
With no timed events in the omnium, the race will become strictly an endurance one that could prove advantageous to Cheung King-lok and Leung Chun-wing
Hong Kong riders are set to benefit from track cycling rule changes as the new season kicks off in Glasgow next month and culminates in the World Championships in Tseung Kwan O in April.
At the World Championships (road race) in Doha last week, the International Cycling Union announced changes to the omnium, one of the five Olympic events, with the new competition format becoming four events (scratch, tempo race, elimination and points race) that will all be held on the same day.
The timed events in the omnium – time trial, flying lap and individual pursuit – have been dropped, meaning the omnium will become predominately an endurance event, bringing better balance to the overall track programme.
Hong Kong’s top two omnium’s riders, Cheung King-lok and Leung Chun-wing, are both strong in endurance events and they are set to benefit from these changes.
“Both riders start in the road race which requires strong endurance power,” said Cycling Association chairman Leung Hung-tak. “Leung was the junior world champion in the long distance points race.