Track Champions League "has the spectacle and it has the drama" Chris Hoy argues

Olympic champion Chris Hoy recently made an appearacne on yet-unaired episode of Michael McIntyre’s The Wheel. He talked about his experince on the show and then shifted the topic to UCI track cycling.

“To me, as someone who loves the sport, it's about reaching a wider audience,” Hoy told Cyclingweekly. He continues, “Trying to elevate the sport from just being for track cycling fans to the general public. It’s to educate them, to raise the profile of the riders, to raise the profile of the sport.

Several years after retiring from competitions, Hoy became involved in organizing track races. He works as ambassador-cum-designer of the UCI Track Champions League, “I know I’m biassed, but there is nothing more exciting than watching a great track race. But for various reasons, we haven’t managed to engage or get traction with the general public beyond the Olympics Games every four years.”

Hoy has become an avid advocate for track cyclists today. He says a fair salary is required to prevent riders from switching to road racing. “We also need to provide the opportunity for athletes to make a living out of the sport. Rather than being drawn away to the road, because you get paid a salary, or having to rely on national federations and sponsorships, this is a first step towards giving them a proper living. These serious, professional athletes deserve better.”

He believes Track champions league is a step forward . “This has the spectacle and it has the drama, but it's not scripted. It's not contrived. This is serious racing. There's UCI points on offer. There's prize money on offer, and the fact that every single position from first to 18 counts, means you're going to battle it out,” concluded Hoy.