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Konya (TUR) 01 Feb – 05 Feb 2026
Source: https://uec.ch/en/event/268/2026-uec-track-elite-european-championships
The 2026 UEC Track Elite European Championships will be held in Konya, Türkiye, from February 1 to February 5, 2026. The event takes place at the Konya Velodrome, the country’s first modern indoor track facility.
Below is the provisional schedule for the championships. Please note that most days are split into a morning/afternoon session for qualifications and an evening session for finals.
Event Schedule
| Date | Key Finals & Events |
| Sunday, Feb 1 | Women’s Scratch Race, Men’s Elimination Race, Women’s & Men’s Team Sprint Finals. |
| Monday, Feb 2 | Men’s Points Race, Women’s Elimination Race, Men’s 1km Time Trial (Kilo), Women’s & Men’s Team Pursuit Finals. |
| Tuesday, Feb 3 | Women’s Omnium (Final Points Race), Men’s Scratch Race, Men’s Individual Pursuit, Women’s Individual Sprint Finals. |
| Wednesday, Feb 4 | Men’s Omnium (Final Points Race), Women’s 500m Time Trial, Women’s Individual Pursuit, Men’s Individual Sprint Finals. |
| Thursday, Feb 5 | Women’s Points Race, Men’s & Women’s Keirin Finals, Men’s & Women’s Madison Finals. |
| Date | Session | Main Events & Finals |
| Sun, Feb 1 | Evening (19:00) | Women’s Scratch, Men’s Elimination, Team Sprint (M/W) |
| Mon, Feb 2 | Evening (18:30) | Men’s Points Race, Women’s Elimination, 1km Time Trial (M), Team Pursuit (M/W) |
| Tue, Feb 3 | Evening (18:30) | Women’s Omnium (Final), Men’s Scratch, Men’s Individual Pursuit, Women’s Sprint |
| Wed, Feb 4 | Evening (18:30) | Men’s Omnium (Final), Women’s 500m Time Trial, Women’s Individual Pursuit, Men’s Sprint |
| Thu, Feb 5 | Afternoon (14:30) | Women’s Points Race, Keirin (M/W), Madison (M/W) |
Daily Session Breakdown
- Morning Sessions (approx. 11:00 – 15:30): Focused on qualifying heats, 200m time trials (for Sprints), and the early rounds of the Omnium (Scratch and Tempo races).
- Evening Sessions (approx. 18:30 – 21:30): This is when the medals are decided. It includes the semi-finals and finals for Sprints, the final points races for the Omnium, and all major award ceremonies.
Venue Information
- Location: Konya Velodrome, Dutlu Caddesi, Meram, Konya.
- Significance: This championship is a critical part of the qualification cycle for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics, making the field particularly competitive this year.
- Technical guide
- Addendum to technical guide
- Teams check in system
- Provisional program
- Live timing
- Teams accomodation and transport
- Media accreditations (open 1 December 2025, close 27 January 2026)
- Tickets
- Tv schedule
- Entry list Women
- Entry list Men
- Training schedule
- Equipment per-check schedule
- Confirmation of starters – licences check
- Results
History
The UEC Track Elite European Championships is a relatively young event in its current “Elite” form, but it evolved from a much longer history of continental cycling competitions.
1. The Modern Era (2010–Present)
The championships as we know them today were inaugurated in 2010.
- The Catalyst: Before 2010, the European Track Championships were primarily for Junior and Under-23 riders. The Union Européenne de Cyclisme (UEC) introduced the Elite level as part of a major overhaul to the Olympic qualification system.
- The First Edition: Held in Pruszków, Poland, in November 2010. It initially mirrored the 10-event Olympic program but quickly expanded.
- Expansion: Within a decade, the event grew to include all 22 World Championship disciplines, making it one of the most prestigious events on the international calendar.
2. Historical Roots (Pre-2010)
While the “Elite” title is new, European track racing has deep roots:
- Early Beginnings: The first recorded “European Track Championships” took place in 1896 (specifically for Stayer racing).
- Winter Championships: Between 1972 and 1990, unofficial European championships (often called Championnats d’Hiver or Winter Championships) were organized for professionals by private entities and the FICP (the professional arm of the UCI).
- Junior/U23 Focus: From 1995 until 2010, the UEC’s main focus remained on youth development, with the annual championships serving as the premier stage for rising stars like Sir Bradley Wiggins and Laura Kenny before they reached the senior ranks.
3. Key Milestone Editions
- 2015 (Grenchen, Switzerland): The event began using the now-iconic European Champion Jersey (white with blue bands and gold stars) for all winners.
- 2018 (Glasgow, UK): Part of the first-ever “Multi-Sport” European Championships, where track cycling was held alongside swimming, gymnastics, and rowing to increase TV viewership.
- 2021 (Grenchen, Switzerland): Originally scheduled for Belarus, the event was moved to Switzerland at the last minute due to political instability, proving the UEC’s ability to adapt quickly.
- 2025 (Heusden-Zolder, Belgium): This edition saw the Netherlands dominate the medal table and served as the final major tune-up before the 2026 championships in Konya.
4. Record Breakers & Dominant Nations
The championships have been dominated by “powerhouse” nations, with Great Britain, Germany, and the Netherlands frequently trading places at the top of the medal table.
- Most Successful Athlete: Katie Archibald (GBR) holds the record for the most titles, with over 20 gold medals.
- Sprint Kings: Dutch riders Harrie Lavreysen and Jeffrey Hoogland have redefined the sprint events in recent years, often locking out the top two spots on the podium.
Summary of Most Successful Nations (2010–2025)
| Rank | Country | Strength |
| 1 | Great Britain | Endurance (Team Pursuit, Omnium) |
| 2 | Germany | Sprint & Women’s Team Pursuit |
| 3 | Netherlands | Men’s Sprint & Keirin |
| 4 | France | Tactical races (Madison, Points Race) |
