425 riders are registered to compete in the 2019 edition of the Junior and Under 23 Track European Championships that will be held in Ghent (Belgium) from 9 to 14 July.
This continental event that will be raced in the modern velodrome dedicated to Eddy Merckx will host riders from 25 countries, who for the six days of racing will be battling for the 44 titles on offer, divided equally between the categories: 22 for Men (Junior and Under 23) and 22 for Women (Junior and Under 23).
Among the most eagerly awaited and promising riders on the international scene include the Under 23 strong German sprinter, Lea Friederich, last year's Junior winner in the World Championships sprint specialities: 500 metres, Keirin, Sprint and Team Sprint. In the Men's sprint events Jakub Šťastný (Czech Republic) who won the Keirin world title and the European title in the Junior Kilometre Time-Trial and is preparing to switch categories just like the French rider Florian Grengbo (2018 Junior Team Sprint World Champion) and the Pole Cezary Laczkowski, 2018 Junior Sprint World Championships gold medallist.
The host country, Belgium, will be able to count on certain riders who gave a good performance last year on a European and World level such as Fabio Van den Bossche, Nicolas Wernimont, Robbe Ghys, Arthur Senrame and Shari Bossuyt.
Italy, first in the 2018 medals table will be one of the countries to beat especially in the Women’s races with among others Vittoria Guazzini, Letizia Paternoster and Marta Cavalli.
Also worthy of note will be the Russian Yana Tyshenko, winner last year of the Junior sprint specialities: Sprint, 500 metres, Keirin and Team Sprint, the Briton Matthew Walls, who also had an excellent Road season, Yane Dorenbos, Sam Ligtlee, Harrie Lavreysen (Netherlands), Lara Gillespie (Ireland) Olivija Baleišyte (Lithuania).
Last year in Aigle (Switzerland), Italy dominated in the final medals table with 21 medals (13 gold, 5 silver and 3 bronze) ahead of Russia (9, 6 and 7) and Belgium (6, 4 and 3).
Rocco Cattaneo, President of the Union Européenne de Cyclisme: «From 9 to 14 July, Ghent velodrome will welcome to its track young women and men preparing to take part in one of the first international experiences of their career, an experience that will undoubtedly be among their best memories.
In technical terms, we will witness six days of top level and unique racing bearing in mind that they are the only Championships where the Under 23s can compete against each other without being overshadowed by the Elite, for example like at the World Championships. In fact we believe that it is vital to give significant and targeted visibility to their National Federations and teams. The passionate and knowledgable Belgian public will have the great and unique opportunity to get to know and admire these young riders who will without doubt be the future stars of the World Championships and the Olympic Games.
The record participation in these Championships is clear evidence that our federations strongly believe in Track cycling which is one of our strengths. This is why we have always supported this event by assisting organisers who have been entrusted this important task.
We can look forward to a unique and exciting event and I would like to thank the Belgian Cycling Federation for its cooperation and commitment, its President Tom Van Damme, Cycling Vlaanderen, organisers of the Vzw Cycling Vlaams Wielercentrum, the Team Manager Koen Beeckman and the City of Ghent».
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