The 2024 UCI Track World Championships began on Wednesday for Team USA, with athletes competing in the Elite Men’s Team Pursuit and Elite Women’s Scratch Race at the Ballerup Super Arena. A total of 10 athletes will represent the United States throughout the week as they compete for world titles against the best track cyclists in the world.
World Champion Jennifer Valente (San Diego; Virginia’s Blue Ridge TWENTY24) returned to the track eager to reclaim her World Title in this evening’s Scratch Race. The 40-lap race was action-packed, with several attacks breaking up the group. Valente made an effort to get away, but Loren Wiebes (NED) was right behind her. At seven laps to go, both riders were reabsorbed. Wiebes made a smart move at the tail end of the race and positioned herself right at the front. She came across the line first and Valente sprinted in for second.
1. Loren Wiebes (NED)
2. Jennfer Valente (USA)
3. Ally Wollaston (NZL)
Qualifying fourth overall, just a fraction of a second behind Switzerland, the Elite Men’s Team Pursuit squad was made up of Anders Johnson (Huntsville, Utah; Chaney Windows and Doors), David Domonoske (Palo Alto, Calif.), Grant Koontz (Nederland, Colo.; Star Track Cycling), and Brendan Rhim (Norwich, Vt.; Project Echelon Racing). Team USA went up against Great Britain to battle for a chance at the gold medal round. They finished in a time of 3:54.887, one of the fastest Men’s Team Pursuit times from Team USA. They just narrowly missed out on the next round, finishing behind Team GB. The final round will take place tomorrow.
